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Journey to spread love for Vietnamese

On a chilly autumn afternoon in Linköping, the atmosphere in the Vietnamese language class at Elsa Brandstrom Secondary School was more lively than usual. The students of Vietnamese origin, who were studying Vietnamese social studies, history, science, and art, were enthusiastically preparing an introduction about their homeland. They proudly talked about the geographical location, natural resources, and jobs in the place where their parents grew up, which helped them improve their Vietnamese language skills, while also gaining a deeper understanding of their roots and cultural values.

The image of the students confidently introducing their parents' homeland with pride is a testament to the results of Sally's persistent efforts over the past eight years. For her, the class is not only about teaching language but also about nurturing love and pride in their roots, helping them absorb more deeply the value of Vietnamese through lessons imbued with national culture.

Eight years ago, while managing a Vietnamese restaurant in Sweden, Sally realized the importance of preserving the language and culture of the Vietnamese-origin youth. Despite her busy business, she was determined to open a Vietnamese language class for children in Östergötland. “Vietnamese language is the only connection between the children and their roots. If we lose it, we will lose more than just a language,” said she.

In Sweden, children have the right to learn their mother tongue for 30 to 60 minutes every day after school. This facilitates them to maintain their language skills and cultural connections. With the support of Le Son Ha, Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Sweden, Sally opened a class at Elsa Brandstrom Secondary School, which encourages the preservation of the mother tongue.

A family drawing by Sam, a student in Sally's Vietnamese class, introduced by Nguyen Thuy.

Teaching Vietnamese to children born and raised in Sweden is not an easy task. Vietnamese, with its six tones and complex syllables, is a challenge for students who are familiar with the host country's language. Many can only speak simple, halting sentences. However, Sally appreciates even the tiniest bit of progress. "It's touching to hear the children gradually pronounce each Vietnamese sound more clearly, even difficult sounds like the "nang" or "nga" tone."

Besides teaching Vietnamese, she encourages students to be proud of their origins. “Though you speak Swedish and dress like a Swede, your facial features, names, and favorite foods are Vietnamese. Be proud of your roots and speak Vietnamese often, because it is our soul.” Her students often say “Xin chao” instead of “Hej” when they greet her, which, for Sally, is a great source of motivation to continue her journey.

To make her lessons more vibrant, Sally often applies technology and modern teaching materials. For younger students, she includes Vietnamese children’s songs and documentaries about Tet Nguyen Dan and Tet Trung Thu in the lessons. For older ones, she introduces Vietnamese history, folk songs, proverbs, and even the art of Cheo, Cai Luong or traditional musical instruments. She searches for teaching methods that are suitable to the students' age and level, while closely following the school curriculum so that the children can gain general knowledge and practice language skills at the same time.

Nguyen Thuy, Sam's parent, could not hide her happiness when sharing a family drawing by her 8-year-old child, along with a short but lovely introduction in Vietnamese: "My name is Sam. I am eight years old. Susu is my cat. My father's name is Thanh. My mother's name is Thuy. My sister's name is Anh. My brother's name is Viet".

Thuy said this was Sam's great progress after learning Vietnamese in Sally's class. Before the class, Sam mostly communicated in Swedish, but now he can write and speak basic Vietnamese sentences, making her family proud.

Build a strong bridge with the homeland

Not only is Sally's class highly appreciated by the Vietnamese community in Sweden, it also receives strong support from the Board of Directors of Elsa Brandstrom Secondary School.

Sally Luu talks about the Vietnamese class.

Sabina Carlsson, Elsa Brandstrom's Vice Principal, is proud of the cultural connections made possible by the school's language classes. "We understand that learning a language or "mother tongue" for foreign students, particularly Vietnamese students in Sweden is of great significance. Elsa Brandstrom currently teaches about 15 native languages. This will help students integrate into the learning environment and quickly learn their subjects at each level in Sweden. The school creates favorable conditions for students to participate in Vietnamese at school. Therefore, Luu established a Vietnamese class and supports teaching Vietnamese at Elsa Brandstrom."

In September 2024, Vu Thi Huynh Mai, Chairwoman of the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese in Ho Chi Minh City, visited a Vietnamese class in Linköping. She was moved by Sally's enthusiasm and the students' tireless efforts.

During the meeting, a student expressed her wish to have the same Vietnamese books and writing exercises as students in Vietnam. It was a modest but profound wish, expressing the desire to connect with their homeland, even though they were living half a world away.

"As long as the Vietnamese language remains, the Vietnam nation remains. No matter where you go, you are still Vietnamese, so you need to preserve your mother tongue. Learn and understand the Viet roots first, then learn the language of the host country (Swedish) or other languages," said Mai.

Sally’s story is not just about language classes. It is a journey of perseverance and belief in the value of language and culture. Her class has become a symbol of the efforts to preserve Vietnamese culture in the Vietnamese community in Sweden. Her perseverance not only helps the younger generation learn the language but also builds a strong bridge with their homeland.

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