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The school that teaches love for mother tongue

During a lesson, the teacher showed a red flag with a yellow star, asking all the children to say out loud, "La co!" (a flag). Their eyes were wide with attention, all focused on the sacred emblem of their country. One by one, they joyfully spelled out the word "la co" with a sense of pride.

In this class, the children are immersed not only in letters but also in the culture of their homeland. They learn to sing, dance, and listen to the humane stories of their nation. Take the young Phuong Anh, for instance; at merely 3 years old, her eyes twinkled with excitement as she eagerly sang "Di hoc" (Going to School - a familiar song for Vietnamese children). With every successfully recited Vietnamese syllable, the young girl grows more connected to her homeland.

A Vietnamese class at Cay Tre Vietnamese Language School. (Photo: Cay Tre Vietnamese Language School)

"Loving Vietnamese Class" is organized by Cay Tre Vietnamese Language School - the first community school in Japan - in collaboration with the Vietnamese Women's Association in the Kansai region, the Association for Liaison with Overseas Vietnamese, and the University of Languages and International Studies ​​(Vietnam National University, Hanoi). Established in mid-August 2024, the school aims to train language skills and preserve the love for the homeland in second and third generation Vietnamese children in Japan. It also honors the Vietnamese language as the soul of the nation, carrying traditional humanistic values, and contributing to the country's development.

Talking to the press, Le Thuong, the school's Principal and President of the Vietnamese Association in the Kansai region, said that she and many Vietnamese people in Japan had previously organized several Vietnamese language classes for children in Japan, but not many of them attended. The Party's policy, as articulated in Conclusion 12, emphasizes "We need to diversify activities to support overseas Vietnamese in preserving the Vietnamese language, promoting cultural identity, and upholding the fine traditions of the Vietnamese people." This has led to a blossoming of Vietnamese language teaching in Osaka, exemplified by the founding of the Cay Tre Vietnamese Language School.

"We hope to build an environment where Vietnamese families in Japan not only learn Vietnamese but also exchange culture and share life experiences," Le Thuong told VOV reporters.

A learning space that connects the community

At Cay Tre Vietnamese Language School, Vietnamese students are taught not only Vietnamese grammar and pronunciation but also cultural values ​​through folk songs, traditional dances, and stories about Vietnamese villages. This is the place where community activities dedicated to the Fatherland occur. There are times when Vietnamese children solemnly sing the national anthem facing the red flag with a yellow star, and times when everyone unites to aid fellow countrymen affected by the damages of Typhoon Yagi.

Teachers of Cay Tre Vietnamese School guide students to read Vietnamese. (Photo: Cay Tre Vietnamese School)

With 14 volunteer teachers, classes take place in person every Saturday. These educators do more than just teach; they also serve as a link between Vietnamese children in Japan and their native culture. The school has broadened its reach by offering online classes, allowing students from various regions in Japan to engage with Vietnamese educational programs conveniently.

The uniqueness of Cay Tre Vietnamese Language School lies in the volunteerism and unity within the Vietnamese community in Japan. Rather than charging fees, the school operates on contributions from parents, teachers, and the community at large. This fosters an educational setting that is rich in language, culture, and community spirit, aiming to strengthen the bonds among Vietnamese families in Japan.

The Cay Tre Vietnamese Language School garners strong support from both Vietnam and Japan. Key contributors include the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Osaka, and academic institutions like the University of Foreign Languages and the Hanoi National University of Education, which have all played a significant role in supplying materials, expertise, and teacher training. Notably, Professor Shimizu Masaaki from Osaka University has been instrumental in guiding teaching methods and aiding in the development of a curriculum tailored to the needs of students in Japan.

Despite early achievements, the teaching and learning of Vietnamese in Japan encounter numerous challenges. Ngo Thi Dan, a teacher with over a decade of experience in Vietnam, identifies the primary obstacle as the absence of specialized textbooks for Vietnamese children residing overseas. While teachers rely on domestic textbooks that students can comprehend through illustrations, the text proves challenging to explain and read. This difficulty arises because these textbooks are designed for children in Vietnamese cultural context, while her students are born and raised in Japan.

"This requires teachers to have a certain level of Japanese language proficiency," Dan told VNA reporters.

Moreover, for many Vietnamese families residing far from educational institutions, sustaining consistent study routines is a challenge. Nonetheless, the conviction in the importance of their native language and the affection for their homeland inspire parents to ensure their children attend classes weekly, despite the obstacles of distance and time.

With the Vietnamese population in Japan now exceeding 500,000, the imperative to preserve their mother tongue intensifies. Le Thuong, bolstered by community backing, foresees the Cay Tre Vietnamese Language School's expansion beyond mere language teaching. Her goal is to inspire the creation of a Vietnamese cultural hub in Japan, thus reinforcing the unity and camaraderie of the overseas Vietnamese community.

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