Academic consultation and career orientation for prospective students
An increase in FLMI
Hue University issued in June regulations of teaching and managing FLMI courses for doctoral and postgraduate studies as well as undergraduate studies at all affiliate institutions. In addition to English, it is expected that other languages such as French, Russian, Chinese, Korean and Japanese are used as media of instruction.
In practice, Hue University has already imported training programs or cooperated with foreign partners in offering them by co-conferring degrees. Such programs include the Finance and Banking program at the University of Economics, co-training with University of Rennes I, France, and Advanced Physics program at the University of Education, cooperating with an American partner. Yet, the present training programs have certain differences from those programs.
Dr. Nguyen Cong Hao, Director of the Department of Training and Student Affairs, said that affiliate institutions manage the human resources, the FLMI training programs and the qualifications, as well as strategies for recruitment of international students to Hue University for their studies and exchange programs.
In 2020, the University of Education offers six programs taught in English, including Primary Education, Mathematics Education, Informatics Education, Physics Education, Chemistry Education and Biology Education. The School of International Studies offers a program in International Relations. In addition, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy and the School of Tourism are preparing the recruitment plan for their FLMI training programs.
To ensure the quality of the outcomes, students are not necessarily taught in entire foreign languages in the early stage of the project. Instead, the instructions can be given bilingually, or some courses are taught in Vietnamese and others in a foreign language. Gradually, the number of courses taught in foreign languages will increase when the institutions have adequate staff, facilities and related issues.
“Although the University of Education proposed teaching the six programs entirely in foreign languages, only 30% of the courses in these programs are accepted after evaluation, to guarantee the training efficiency and quality,” said Dr. Nguyen Cong Hao.
According to a Hue University leader, in FLMI programs, at least 30% of the credit points must be taught in foreign languages. The institutions must have plans to increase the number of credit points taught in foreign languages in their training programs. When all the conditions are satisfied, all courses will be instructed in foreign languages.
School of International Studies, Hue University will admit students to some of the courses taught in foreign languages
Foreign language proficiency satisfaction
In Vietnam, university courses taught in foreign languages have been existence for a long time; however, the requirements for foreign language proficiency have changed to a higher level.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Chuong, Vice-President of Hue University, lecturers teaching FLMI courses must have foreign language proficiency at level 5/6 of the Vietnamese 6-level foreign language proficiency framework (or equivalent), in addition to the requirements of specialization and research expertise. The lecturers who were trained abroad for their undergraduate or postgraduate studies and completed their dissertations in foreign languages can be weaved from foreign language proficiency certificates.
Students who enroll in courses of the FLMI programs must meet many requirements. For example, undergraduate students who are admitted to the university will sit for a test of foreign language proficiency.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Vice-rector of University of Education, said that undergraduate students admitted to the FLMI programs must have at least level 2/6 (of the Vietnamese 6-level foreign language proficiency framework) or equivalent to ensure the quality of the program. Those students who have not met the language requirements will have to attend a language preparation course to achieve the required level of language before starting the program.
The representative of Hue University said that the Education Quality Accreditation will be implemented with the FLMI programs in the same ways as the traditional programs and in accordance with the regulations of the MOET. The tests, examination and other forms of assessment as well as the process of graduation certifying will be delivered in the language of instructions.
FLMI programs are based on or translated from the Vietnamese counterparts approved by the Hue University.
Story and photos: Huu Phuc