Speaker
Description
In the era of globalization and digital transformation, fostering students' English communication skills within authentic, real-world contexts has become an urgent demand, particularly in rural Vietnamese primary schools. Traditional teaching methods, heavily reliant on textbooks and classroom drills, have proven insufficient in equipping students with the confidence and language skills needed for meaningful global interaction.
This initiative, titled "Borderless English Classroom", was designed and piloted in several primary schools in Yen Mo District, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam. It combines innovative, student-centered pedagogical approaches with the strategic integration of digital platforms (e.g., Zoom, Skype, Padlet, Canva). Key components include online cultural exchanges, international collaborative projects, bilingual webinars, and 'Borderless English Clubs', creating a dynamic, interactive, and globally connected English learning environment.
Preliminary implementation during the 2023–2024 academic year has shown significant impacts: students demonstrate increased confidence and fluency in English communication, higher engagement and creativity in learning activities, and remarkable achievements in English contests at district and provincial levels. Moreover, the model effectively fosters essential 21st-century skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and intercultural competence.
The initiative provides valuable insights and a replicable model for educators aiming to innovate English language teaching in rural or resource-constrained contexts, contributing to narrowing the educational gap and enhancing global readiness among Vietnamese students.
Biography
Mrs. Dinh Thi Van is currently an English teacher at Mai Son Primary School, Yen Mo District, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam. With over 10 years of experience in teaching English at the primary level, she has actively engaged in implementing innovative teaching methods to enhance students' language skills and motivation.
Passionate about applying creative and learner-centered approaches, Mrs. Van has led several initiatives focusing on integrating technology and experiential learning into English classrooms. One of her most recognized contributions is the implementation of the "English Without Borders Classroom" model, which creates real-world learning opportunities for students through global virtual exchanges and collaborative projects with schools around the world.
In addition to classroom teaching, Mrs. Van regularly contributes to the professional development of fellow teachers through workshops, mentoring, and participation in educational forums at local and provincial levels.
Her main areas of interest include English language teaching for young learners, technology-enhanced language learning, intercultural competence development, and global citizenship education.
By participating in VietTESOL 2025, she aims to share her experiences, learn from the wider ELT community, and continue to develop innovative practices that empower students in rural areas to become confident English users and global citizens.
