VIETTESOL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION 2025

Summary
In the era of global integration and security cooperation, English language teaching (ELT) in Vietnam’s military schools must move beyond traditional grammar-translation methods to equip future officers with global communication competence, critical thinking, and intercultural understanding. This paper explores the application of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as an innovative, interdisciplinary and sustainable pedagogical approach in ELT at the army institutions. CDA not only enhances cadets' English proficiency but also cultivates their ability to interpret and evaluate texts within socio-political and cultural contexts – skills essential for global readiness. As military operations increasingly involve multinational collaboration, sustainable ELT reform is required to meet both academic and operational demands. This study also highlights the shortcomings of current ELT practices in military institutions and proposes CDA-based strategies to enhance language instruction. By integrating CDA, the ELT curriculum can foster reflective, adaptive, and analytically capable officers who are prepared for international missions and lifelong learning in an interconnected world. This transformation supports the broader goal of building a sustainable, globally competent military education system aligned with modernization goals of the Vietnam People’s Army.