APEC English Language Content Standards

Hi there!

My last entry was several days ago, and it was entitled "'Tis the season to be jolly". I believe you've been jolly and did not need something to read.

But I guess it's time we get back to serious things, and that is why I have this entry. I have something that all of you who are in English language teaching in Vietnam nmay eed to know.

Why? Because you know that Vietnam is having this grand national project to upgrade its English language teaching in the next 10 years (called Project 2020). And MOET is developing the new English curriculum for the whole education system (I am partly involved in this, that's why I know).

In order to do that, it's necessary to see what other countries are doing. So I search the Internet and found this site, which has almost everything Vietnam needs. You can go here to find out more.

Two important documents that are relevant to Vietnam:

1. Chinese English Standards

Read this introduction from the site:

Unofficial translation of English standards by grade level including language skills, attitudes, learning strategies, and cultural awareness (translated by the United States Department of Education).

This document is 53 pages in length, consisting of 4 chapters and an appendix. I particularly like chapter 4, Implementation Suggestions. Some really useful case studies with interesting ideas for teaching and assessment.

2. Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages

Guideline document for teaching Chinese to meet the needs of Chinese language teaching and learning worldwide.

Useful for (1) Teachers of Chinese in Vietnam and elsewhere; and (2) Teachers of Vietnamese who would like to develop proficiency scales for Vietnamese for speakers of other languages.

Read, enjoy, and discuss this with me, will you?

And for those students of mine, see you in class tomorrow!