VietTESOL International Convention 2026

As Vietnam accelerates the transition from English as a Foreign Language to English as a Second Language under the 2025–2045 strategic vision, the national policy framework remains constrained by persistent, outdated notions of native-speakerism. While supporting the convention’s objective of advancing the national ESL roadmap, this presentation critically examines the paradox of implementing such a model in a non postcolonial state, a context that diverges significantly from the historical trajectories of nations traditionally classified as ESL.

The study draws on Critical Discourse Analysis, as conceptualized by Fairclough, alongside decolonial language policy theory, notably the work of Alastair Pennycook and Suresh Canagarajah. By integrating these frameworks with research on translingual agency and the shift toward English as a Lingua Franca, the analysis demonstrates how colonial-era legacies continue to institutionalize an internal hierarchy of proficiency. This foundation challenges benchmarks that prioritize native-speaker norms, arguing they are sociolinguistically incompatible with the realities of a sovereign, modern Vietnam.

This research further investigates the friction between national policy goals and classroom implementation, particularly regarding the marginalization of local linguistic identity. The study offers evidence-based recommendations, including a pedagogical reorientation toward an English as a Lingua Franca-informed curriculum and a framework for evaluating the ESL label to ensure it fosters learner empowerment rather than deficit-based assessment. Ultimately, this presentation provides a strategic roadmap for reconciling global competitiveness with the preservation of national linguistic heritage, ensuring the transition toward an ESL-future empowers local voices in an increasingly globalized educational landscape.