Decision No. 72/2014/QD-TTg on teaching and learning in foreign languages in schools and other educational institutions

Pursuant to …;

Regarding foreign language instruction and learning in educational institutions and other educational facilities The Prime Minister issues this Decision on foreign language instruction and learning in educational institutions and other educational facilities.specialized agency under the People's Committee of the province/city.

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Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to the Education Law on June 14, 2005; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the Education Law on November 25, 2009;

Pursuant to the Higher Education Law on June 18, 2012;

Pursuant to Decree No. 75/2006/NĐ-CP dated August 2, 2006 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Education Law;

Pursuant to Decree No. 141/2013/NĐ-CP dated October 24, 2013 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Higher Education Law;

promulgates a Decree stipulating the criteria for stratification, ranking framework, and ranking standards for higher education institutions.

1. This Decision stipulates foreign language instruction and learning in general education institutions, continuing education institutions, vocational education institutions, and higher education institutions (hereinafter referred to as educational facilities), including: General provisions; organization of foreign language instruction and learning; files, procedures, approval authorities for foreign language instruction and learning, and implementation organization.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

2. This Decision does not apply to: Joint training programs with foreign educational institutions; history, politics, culture, arts, and literature subjects related to Vietnam in general education curricula; educational facilities with 100% foreign investment.

Article 2. Principles of foreign language instruction and learning in educational facilities

1. Foreign language instruction and learning must originate from societal needs and the voluntary participation of learners.

2. Programs and courses taught and learned in a foreign language must ensure educational and training objectives, contents, methods at each level of education and training, meeting requirements set forth in relevant laws concerning education, training, and vocational training.

3. Continuing education programs taught and learned in a foreign language must comply with regulations applicable to corresponding regular education programs.

4. For higher education and vocational education institutions, examinations, assessments for programs or courses taught and learned in a foreign language must be conducted in that foreign language.

ORGANIZATION OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING

Chapter II

Article 3. Curriculum and materials for foreign language instruction and learning

The Vietnamese general education curriculum may be partially or entirely taught and learned in a foreign language, prioritizing mathematics, natural sciences, technology, and information technology fields. Textbooks and materials used for foreign language instruction and learning (in a foreign language, Vietnamese, or bilingual) must be approved for use by the Department of Education and Training.

1. For general education

2. For higher education and vocational education

a) Higher education and vocational education programs already approved by competent authorities, and foreign education institution training programs recognized for quality after accreditation may be partially or fully taught in a foreign language; priority should be given to teaching in a foreign language for basic science programs or certain fields and areas where there is social demand, serving international integration.

b) Textbooks and materials for higher education and vocational education used for foreign language instruction and learning must be approved by the Rector (Director) of the educational facility based on the assessment by the Evaluation Board established by the Rector (Director), ensuring compliance with the textbook and material evaluation process.

b) University textbooks and educational materials for vocational training used in foreign language instruction shall be approved by the Rector (Director) of the educational institution based on the assessment by the Evaluation Board established by the Rector (Director), ensuring compliance with the prescribed procedures for textbook and material evaluation.

Article 4. Teachers and Students

1. Teachers delivering educational and training programs in foreign languages must meet the professional qualifications prescribed for their respective teaching positions at all levels of education and corresponding levels of training; they must also meet the foreign language proficiency standards as follows:

a) Secondary school teachers must have a foreign language proficiency certificate that is at least two levels higher than the foreign language proficiency requirement for students upon completion of their grade level, according to the Vietnamese Foreign Language Proficiency Framework of Six Levels or equivalent.

b) Teachers at higher education institutions and vocational education institutions must have a minimum foreign language proficiency level of five according to the Vietnamese Foreign Language Proficiency Framework of Six Levels or equivalent. Those who have completed full-time undergraduate, master's, or doctoral degrees abroad are exempt from the aforementioned foreign language proficiency requirements.

2. Students must meet the foreign language proficiency standards required by the curriculum and courses taught in foreign languages and according to the Vietnamese Foreign Language Proficiency Framework of Six Levels or equivalent.

Article 5. Physical Facilities and Equipment

Educational institutions organizing instruction and learning in foreign languages must ensure adequate conditions regarding physical facilities, equipment, libraries, textbooks, and materials to meet the requirements set forth by the curricula and courses taught in foreign languages (including foreign education and training programs).

Article 6. Examination, Testing, Evaluation, Graduation Certification, and Awarding of Certificates

1. For general education, the final year-end and final grade-level examinations for programs and subjects taught and learned in foreign languages must be conducted in Vietnamese. Students may take additional examinations or tests in foreign languages to qualify for study incentives as directed by the Ministry of Education and Training.

2. For higher education and vocational education, examination, testing, evaluation, graduation certification, and awarding of certificates for all programs taught in foreign languages must comply with Vietnamese legal regulations if the certificates are issued by Vietnam.

Article 7. Quality Assurance in Education

1. The quality assurance for Vietnamese programs taught in foreign languages shall be carried out in accordance with legal provisions.

2. The quality assurance for foreign programs taught in foreign languages shall be conducted by foreign quality assurance agencies recognized by the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs.

Article 8. Tuition Fees, Usage, and Management of Tuition Fees

1. Based on accurate calculation, revenue covering expenses, mutual agreement with students, and proactive establishment of tuition fees for each academic year and course for programs and subjects taught and learned in foreign languages, educational institutions must submit these to competent authorities for approval and public announcement before enrollment:

a) The tuition fee for secondary education, specialized vocational college, and vocational training programs taught and learned in foreign languages at local educational institutions shall be approved by the provincial People's Committee.

b) The tuition fee for vocational education and higher education programs taught and learned in foreign languages must be reported to the supervising agency, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs prior to implementation.

2. The use of tuition fees to cover costs for teaching and learning in foreign languages, including payment for teachers' remuneration and other expenses funded by tuition fees, must be clearly stipulated in the Implementation Plan for Programs Taught and Learned in Foreign Languages.

3. The management of tuition fees, accounting, and statistical consolidation of income and expenditure in annual financial reports must comply with current legal regulations to ensure transparency and clarity. Educational institutions must comply with financial inspection and audit requirements by authorized financial and educational management agencies.

Chapter III

DOCUMENTATION, PROCEDURES, AUTHORITY FOR APPROVAL OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING

Article 9. Documents, Procedures, and Formalities

1. The documents for requesting approval to teach and learn in a foreign language include:

a) A request document for approving the Implementation Plan for teaching and learning in a foreign language;

b) The Implementation Plan for teaching and learning in a foreign language, detailing the following contents: Curriculum and materials; teachers, students, infrastructure; examination, testing, evaluation, graduation certification, issuance of diplomas and certificates; educational quality assessment; tuition fees, management and use of tuition fees, and implementation of the Plan;

c) Quality certification documents for training programs using foreign programs (if applicable), issued by foreign educational quality assessment agencies and recognized by competent Vietnamese authorities.

2. Approval procedures.

a) Educational institutions submit one set of documents to the competent authority as stipulated in Article 10 of this Decision. Within five working days from the date of receiving the documents, the competent authority is responsible for reviewing and must notify the educational institution in writing about any necessary supplementation or completion of the documents;

b) Within twenty working days from the date of receiving complete and properly completed documents as specified in Clause 1 of this Article, the competent authority is responsible for approving or issuing a written notification regarding the outcome of processing the Plan to the educational institution if the Plan has not been approved.

Article 10. Competent Authority for Approval

1. The Director of the Department of Education and Training approves the Implementation Plan for teaching and learning in a foreign language for secondary schools and vocational colleges under their jurisdiction.

2. The Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs approves the Implementation Plan for teaching and learning in a foreign language for vocational schools under their jurisdiction.

3. The Head of the Education and Training Division approves the Implementation Plan for teaching and learning in a foreign language for primary and junior high schools under their jurisdiction.

4. The Rector (Head) of higher education institutions (for member institutions of the National University and Regional Universities, they follow the organizational and operational regulations of the National University and Regional Universities), vocational colleges, and vocational colleges directly under ministries and agencies at ministerial level are responsible for approving the Implementation Plan for teaching and learning in a foreign language for their respective educational institutions.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 11. Responsibilities of Ministries and Sectors

1. The Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, within their assigned authority: Direct the implementation of this Decision; provide guidance, inspect, and supervise the comprehensive implementation of teaching and learning in a foreign language at localities and educational institutions under their national administrative management responsibility; report periodically annually.

2. The Ministry of Finance: Lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, and related ministries and sectors, and provincial People's Committees to guide the management and use of tuition fees for educational institutions implementing foreign language teaching and learning programs, ensuring compliance with current laws.

3. Related ministries and sectors: Based on their assigned functions and tasks, coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training to direct, guide, inspect, and supervise the implementation of teaching and learning in a foreign language in institutions under their management; report periodically annually to the Ministry of Education and Training for consolidation and reporting.

Article 12. Responsibilities of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities

Implement state management functions in education within their jurisdiction, approve tuition fees for educational programs taught and studied in foreign languages at educational institutions under their management authority, and report annually to the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs for consolidation and reporting

Article 13. Implementation Provisions

1. This Decision takes effect from February 20, 2015.

2. The Minister, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of provincial and centrally governed city People's Committees are responsible for implementing this Decision./.