ACT Programs Bolster English Skills Among Vietnam Students and Teachers

Teachers are often more excited than their students are about learning. That’s not been the case at a school in Vietnam where both are equally enthusiastic about studying the English language.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the Singapore International School@Saigon South (SIS@SS) has integrated the Global Assessment Certificate (GAC) Program and English Proficiency Program (EPP) into its curriculum for students in grades six through eleven.

Students at the Singapore International School@Saigon South in Ho Chi Minh City work on a project. The school has integrated ACT’s Global Assessment Certificate and English Proficiency Program into its curriculum.

In Hanoi, the Singapore International School@Van Phuc offers EPP classes. Both schools are part of the KinderWorld Group, an international organization that offers education programs to students from pre-nursery through university preparation levels.

The programs have sparked a new passion for learning among both teachers and students, said Robert Karvois, academic coordinator for SIS@SS.

“The GAC and EPP have created a synergy that permeates our very demanding English program. Our students are stepping out of their comfort zones and becoming more confident in their abilities with the English language,” he said. “The programs have also provided opportunities for our teachers to work more closely with their students and each other. Being able to collaborate has increased their confidence in using and teaching English language skills and helped create new standards of performance.”

A teacher and students at the Singapore International School@Saigon South in Ho Chi Minh City take a break. Teachers and students alike are excited about new opportunities to improve their English skills.

The EPP is an academically oriented English language program designed to prepare students for further studies in English, including the GAC program. EPP focuses on key language skills—reading, writing, listening, and speaking—and offers grounding in grammar and pronunciation.

GAC is ACT’s university preparation program that is taught and evaluated in English. It provides international students with the skills they need to enroll in and succeed at English-speaking colleges and universities. Successful completion of the program guarantees entry into GAC Pathway Universities in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Vietnam students start EPP classes in grade six. The classes prepare them for the GAC program. Students enter the GAC upon completion of the eleventh or twelfth grade, depending on their high school curriculum.

“We assigned EPP modules based on grade levels. While there were initial concerns that some students would not be challenged enough, this fear has proven unfounded,” said Karvois. “Teachers have been able to apply the material in such a way that it provides interest and learning experiences to students of all levels within a particular class.”

Overall, administrators, teachers, and students alike are pleased with the programs.

“We were looking for high-quality English language skills programs that would complement our academic curriculum and prepare students for success at English-speaking colleges. The EPP and GAC have lived up to our expectations,” he said.