English language education in Vietnam has long followed an EFL model, positioned primarily as a classroom subject rather than a language embedded in social life. As Vietnam accelerates its integration into the global economy, this model is no longer sufficient for the linguistic demands of international trade, higher education, digital innovation, and knowledge production. Responding to these shifts, the Vietnamese government has launched an ambitious national plan (2025–2035) to reposition English as a second language in schools, signalling an intention to use linguistic capacity as a driver of economic growth and global competitiveness. This aspiration echoes experiences in countries such as Singapore, Rwanda, and the Philippines, where English has been strategically enhanced to support participation in global markets, attract foreign investment, and enable access to scientific and technological advancement. As Vietnam pursues a similar trajectory in a rapidly evolving technological era, the integration of emerging digital and AI-driven tools is expected to accelerate the process, enabling faster, broader, and more equitable English exposure across regions and socioeconomic groups.
The theme of repositioning English at VietTESOL International Convention 2026 examines the shifting status of English language not only through the national initiative of Vietnam but also through comparative, global, and theoretical lenses. The convention brings together scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas to explore how countries can transition from EFL to ESL environments in ways that are pedagogically sound, socially sustainable, and technologically forward-looking. Drawing on research from World Englishes, English-as-a-lingua-franca studies, language-in-education planning, and digital language learning innovations, participants will critically examine curriculum redesign, teacher professional development activities, assessment reform, and technology integration. Through these conversations, the convention aims to contribute to a global knowledge base while supporting Vietnam’s developing roadmap toward an English-second-language future.
