VietTESOL International Convention 2026

Vietnam’s transition from English as a Foreign Language (EFL) to English as a Second Language (ESL) presents significant opportunities for global integration, higher education, and employment. However, the rapid expansion of English-medium instruction may also risk marginalizing Vietnamese as a language of academic thinking, knowledge construction, and cognitive development. Drawing on interviews with parents and students, classroom observations, policy trends, and perspectives from language ecology and additive bilingual education, this presentation examines the potential consequences of prioritizing English at the expense of Vietnamese. It argues that an additive bilingual approach is essential to maintaining linguistic, cultural, and cognitive balance during Vietnam’s ESL transition. Through concrete classroom examples and practical policy recommendations, participants will explore strategies for strengthening English proficiency while also supporting Vietnamese language development and academic literacy. The presentation concludes that Vietnam’s ESL transition will be most successful and sustainable when bilingualism is viewed as a valuable resource, enabling learners to participate confidently in global contexts while remaining firmly grounded in their linguistic, cultural, and national identity.