VietNamNet Bridge – English courses for professionals are alarmingly ineffective, analysts say.

“We are following the Oxford for Computing textbook, which provides out-of-date information,” he complained.

Unsuitable textbooks and curricula have been cited by students as one reason that they tire of learning.

Phan Huy Hoang, a third year biology student at HCM City University of Natural Resources, noted that studying English for professionals is very necessary.

“The curriculum seems unsuitable and we also do not have many choices. Therefore, the knowledge we have from English lessons is really limited,” he observed.

Meanwhile, Doan Van Dung, a fourth year student at Van Hien University, admitted: “We just try to learn enough to pass exams.”

English teachers attribute problems to the varied learning capabilities of students.

“The big difference in students’ abilities makes it difficult for lecturers to care for all students, which affects teaching and learning,” said Pham Tan Ha, Deputy Head of the Training Division of the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Dr Vu Thi Phuong Anh from the HCM City National University Examination and Verification Center observed that it is not advisable to set up standards in teaching professional English. She said that universities need to understand the qualifications necessary for society to develop suitable courses and standards for students.

Meanwhile, blame falls on the teachers. Most university instructors are simply teachers of normal English instead of English for professionals who have a limited vocabulary focused on a specific field.

A lecturer from the Journalism Department at the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanity remarked that many English teachers have to study more “terms” in order to teach their classes.

Such courses are so problematic that some are questioning whether it is really necessary to continue. Some universities have decided to provide TOEIC and TOEFL courses for their students instead of teaching professional English.

The HCM City Economics University has decided to appraise students of the 2008-2012 class based on TOEIC standards. Other universities have removed professional English from their rosters.

VietNamNet/TT