VietTESOL International Convention 2026

A move that was proposed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training to change English from a foreign language to a second language during the period of 2025–2035 is a remarkable move towards improving their global competitiveness. This strategy is based on the assumption of the existence of a universal way of learning that favors metropolitan areas with enough educational resources. In such a case, the strategy is likely to have negative effects on rural, isolated, and marginalized learners, particularly those from ethnic minorities for whom English is a challenging third language. Using Spolsky's three-dimensional language policy model, the presentation critically discusses how language policies at the macro level and language practices at the micro level can be conflicting, particularly when implemented in resource-limited environments. Such a forceful imposition could make English a stumbling block to learning and further perpetuate inequities among disadvantaged learners. In this context, the discussion focuses on modifying policies and making sure they cater to the specific situations of different linguistic ecologies, with phases of implementation. Attendees will analyze concrete cases of this issue as well as other alternative ways of implementing the strategy. After the presentation, people will have very practical recommendations to enable the strategy to serve as a tool of inclusion rather than exclusion among rural and disadvantaged learners in Vietnam.