VietTESOL International Convention 2026

Vietnam’s aspiration to transform English from a foreign language into a second language reflects a form of classical language planning in a society shaped by market socialism, neoliberal reforms, and postmodern realities. Although leveraging the linguistic capital of English for societal goals carries a utopian appeal, experience from Asia and elsewhere shows that such ambitions are often only partially realised in practice. In some societies, English has been even viewed as a “white elephant” which consumes precious national resources but produces limited outcomes. This presentation will seek a middle ground between idealised goals and pessimistic projections. It is organised into three parts. The first examines the policy through relevant theoretical lenses and outlines its underlying rationale. The second identifies common pitfalls observed in other national contexts and considers how Vietnam might avoid them. The third focuses on policy enactment, highlighting priorities, enabling conditions, and incentives that can support more sustainable results. The presentation will conclude by inviting all stakeholders to claim the policy, be part of its enactment process, and remake English as a Vietnamese public good in line with the national ambition.