Hanoi, April 10, 2011: When celebrities achieve recognition they may be forgiven for thinking they have little reason left to continue learning but while fame opens doors – so does learning.
Deputy director Michael Gordon oversees the teaching of English by his employers the British Council. In his position he has a good grasp of their customers – from shy kids as young as six, to well-respected Vietnamese celebrities.
He said: “Our customers believe that success doesn’t mean they no longer have to develop personally – quite the opposite, success means they can dedicate the time and resources they wish into further self improvement.”
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One such person is TV director Do Thanh Hai who took the ultimate step in try to ensure his son realised just how important learning English is.
Hai’s son Duy Anh, in Grade 4, had been learning English for a couple of years without really settling into a steady pattern of study. Hai thought it was time he was a role model for his son so signed up to classes to learn alongside him. He said: “I wanted to make a good example for my son so that he understands that learning English is essential and important. I also want him to be aware that being able to speak English will be an advantage in communication and that he will be able to learn about new cultures and gain access to knowledge of developed countries.” |
Hai’s own studies have been sporadic due to his busy schedule but he feels that now both he and Duy Anh have signed up for classes at the British Council he can make learning a priority again.
For the pair of them it has been an exercise in father and son bonding but has also meant motivation for both has been given a huge boost.
Hai adds: “Learning English gives me a feeling on integration with young dynamic people. For my son, the learning environment at the British Council has motivated him. He loves doing the variety of exercises that British Council teachers use to develop language skills.
“It’s not just a modern learning environment – the library and the play area help children to familiarise themselves with the education system. The classroom activities are a long way from more traditional learning and that seems to relax Duy Anh and motivates him further.
“I feel like we aren’t just ensuring Duy Anh learns to speak English he’s also developing independent thinking, confidence in communication and the promise of a modern lifestyle.”
Meanwhile the list of customers of the British Council can sometimes more closely resemble the VIP list at an exclusive club than an educational institution. Bui Thu Thuy, the deputy director for sports and entertainment at VTV is another who regularly visits their high tech classrooms on Thuy Khue Street, Hanoi. Thuy first chose to learn English in order to travel and then later to work on international programmes with foreign partners. Recently she continued to learn in order to study abroad and carry out research. A scholarship hinged on her achieving the required standard in an IELTS exam and she turned to British Council for help. Her success in her studies has seen her winning a scholarship awarded by the Australian Government and she will be overseas from June 2011 for four years. She said: “The course helped me a lot with my exam preparation. After 26 hours of study my exam techniques and skills have been improved significantly. Friend had recommended British Council and my teacher was very experienced and had a very teaching method. “When I finish my study I hope to be able to contribute greatly to the media and television industry of Vietnam using the knowledge and experience I will have earned during my time in Vietnam.” |
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