Organize an Effective Bilingual Program at PHS

Pacific Primary and High School (PHS) has 100% of 12th grade students graduating from high school in the 2009-2010 school year. The school organizes the curriculum of the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam, together with a Bilingual Program in English.

Day-boarding time at PHS (from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day) is reasonably designed for students from grade 1 to grade 12. In addition to the number of lessons according to the program distribution of the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam, the school adds some review periods during the week, which helps them understand the lesson right in class and have more time to practice and experiment.

The English curriculum is selectively incorporated into Maths, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences. In addition to English listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, they regularly practice their Public Speaking skills in class and at school clubs, and prepare for TOEFL and SAT exams.

Maths program was introduced after 1 month of Vietnamese math program so that students can be confident with basic math knowledge and easily practice in English with the program’s problem-solving method. High school students study the SAT Math program to prepare them for exams and study abroad.

On the basis of basic scientific knowledge of the Vietnamese high school program, students easily absorb the Natural Science program in English with lessons that are really close to life. They also get to practice, experiment, implement projects and solve problems of the world around them.

During their time at PHS, the English-language Social Science program is an exciting journey that takes elementary and middle school students around the world, to different countries, to learn about culture, society, economy in World Culture. With Tourism, high school students can introduce and guide fluently like a tourism ambassador about scenic spots around the world. World Culture and Tourism learning materials are specially compiled by PHS, instead of English subjects of History and Geography.

Business is a completely new subject for high school in Vietnam. The economic and social knowledge is integrated with the vocational and practical business program taught in English and Vietnamese to high school students. When the hot economic issues of Vietnam or the world appear, teachers will immediately update, organize and guide students to discuss, analyze and explain problems from different angles. Students are formed in the habit of following and analyzing socio-economic news seriously and multi-faceted. Classes are often organized into companies according to their chosen industry with a full range of functional departments. 21st century youth skills are practiced in the classroom, at school activities and in PHS parent businesses.

Practice the ability to self-study and work independently

Students need to be trained the ability to work independently from grade 1. Every day 1st graders need to study at home for 15 to 30 minutes, this time increasing gradually with higher classes. Middle school students need about 90 minutes and high school students need about 120 to 150 minutes of self-study at home each day. During this time, they will review the lessons they have learned in the morning , followed by homework and studying, and finally, reading ahead of tomorrow’s lessons. PHS students also actively prepare information and design presentations for class or school projects, complete artwork, and more.

PHS’s active and creative teaching method helps students develop the ability to think and work independently. They are very active and brave, always creative and active in learning and social behavior. Sports, cultural and performing arts programs occupy an important place in the school’s educational activities. The children’s learning capacity and life skills are developed through all activities that are organized scientifically and closely, continuously and systematically.

Dr. Nguyen Tran Trac – Former Principal of the school said: In the past 4 years, the Vietnamese – English bilingual program at PHS has helped many students to study abroad successfully and the school’s students use English fluently in all educational and social activities.