Speaker
Description
As Vietnam advances its national agenda to integrate English as a second language across the education system, the adoption of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) is emerging as a key strategy. While this offers new opportunities for global engagement, many subject teachers face challenges in delivering content through English, often lacking the pedagogical training and confidence to teach in bilingual environments. This presentation draws from global practice and international teacher development programs to demonstrate how English teachers can be empowered as cross-disciplinary collaborators in EMI contexts. Rather than limiting their role to language instruction, English teachers can co-plan lessons, scaffold academic language, and mentor colleagues across subject areas. Grounded in sustainable capacity-building principles, we introduce a practical EMI support model focused on peer coaching, reflective practice, and the formation of school-based Communities of Practice (CoPs). This model has been tested in diverse international settings, including low-resource environments, and is adaptable to the Vietnamese educational landscape. By integrating global insights with local needs, this session highlights how EMI implementation can be strengthened through school-wide collaboration, teacher agency, and continuous professional development. It positions English teachers not only as facilitators of language, but as agents of sustainable educational transformation. This presentation will benefit ELT professionals, teacher trainers, and academic leaders interested in scalable, practical models for building EMI capacity while promoting equity, confidence, and long-term impact.
Biography
James Perrin is an international education leader with extensive experience in global partnerships and business development. He currently serves as the Director of Global Sales at the Oxford International Digital Institute, where he oversees the strategic development and global outreach of digital education programs. With over 15 years of experience in higher education and international recruitment, James has held senior leadership roles at prestigious institutions, including the University of Hertfordshire. As Director of International Partnerships, he was responsible for leading the development and execution of the University’s international strategy. He played a key role in the expansion of overseas partnerships and the operational oversight of the University’s international branch campuses. James has worked across a range of international education contexts, including strategic development in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. He has a proven track record in driving international recruitment growth and fostering partnerships that enhance the global reach of educational institutions.
At VietTESOL 2025, James will draw on his wealth of experience in international education to present insights on building sustainable capacity in education systems through cross-disciplinary collaboration and teacher empowerment. His presentation will explore how international collaboration, and effective partnerships can enhance the implementation of English as a Medium of Instruction and other transformative educational practices.
