Hanoi, 21 August 2017

The internal working session on “English Language Competency Development Plan for NIVET Researchers and Administrative Staff” was jointly held by the National Institute of Vocational Education and Training (NIVET) and the Vietnamese-German Programme Reform of TVET in Viet Nam implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). At the workshop, the results of the Training Needs Analysis and Test of English Proficiency for 23 researchers and administrative staff were presented. The proposed training roadmap and development plan which aims at developing the English language competency for researchers and administrative staff of the institute were discussed. The participants of the workshop, including the management, heads of research and administrative divisions, researchers and administrative staff of NIVET actively discussed about how to ensure the efficiency of the English training programme and to best mobilize and utilize resources for the implementation of the programme.

In the context of regional integration and internationalization of Vietnam TVET sector, NIVET plays a significant role. The leaders and researchers of NIVET are frequently and regularly invited to present and discuss regional topics in TVET at ASEAN Forums/conferences and ASEAN working groups for TVET. English language competency is very important for NIVET researchers to access various knowledge sources on the topics they are working on. It is also an important communication means for the researchers to participate in joint research and other forms of international cooperation. So far, limited English language competency of NIVET researchers has been a barrier for the institute’s stronger international cooperation and engagement as well as its research capacity development.

As agreed by both NIVET and the Programme Reform of TVET in Vietnam-Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ TVET), GIZ TVET supports NIVET to develop an English language competency development plan for its researchers and administrative staff. The aims are to identify the current English language proficiency of key NIVET researchers and administrative staff, their learning needs and to develop a training proposal for the targeted groups to achieve level B1 (independent users) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Speaking at the working session, Dr. Vu Xuan Hung, Director of NIVET, emphasized that “We have to see English language competency development as an important task if we want to develop further, at both institutional and individual levels”. During group discussions, the participants affirmed that they are committed to successfully implement the plan. The results of the workshop will be used to finalise and implement the English Language Competency Development Plan for researchers and administrative staff of NIVET.