Center for Vietnamese Studies in Thai University Spreads love for Vietnamese Language
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Journey to spread love for Vietnamese

On a chilly autumn afternoon in Linköping, Östergötland, a gentle breeze blew through the classroom window at Elsa Brandstrom Secondary School. In the tranquil space, Sally's voice rang out, warm and gentle but full of determination. Around her were young Vietnamese students, concentrating on each lesson, trying to pronounce each Vietnamese word correctly.

“One more time, ‘ky-niem,’!”, she said, correcting a boy who mixed up the sounds ‘n’ and ‘m’. “Remember, ‘ky-niem’ means recalling a special day, so we have to emphasize the right sound to convey the meaning."

The students read with their timid voices but were good enough to make their teacher smile. This was a small moment in Sally's 8-year journey of hard work. She considers the class as an opportunity to sow the seeds of Vietnamese pride in the heartland of Scandanavia. The exciting little stories of their homeland are a bridge to help children easily absorb the complexity of the Vi

Students in Luu Sally's Vietnamese class.

Eight years ago, while managing a Vietnamese restaurant in Sweden, Sally realized the importance of preserving the language and culture for 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.

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 tinniest 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, 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.

Elevate effort to preserve Vietnamese language

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 Liu talks about 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 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 are living half a world away.

"As long as the Vietnamese language remains, the Vietnam nation remains," said Mai. "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."

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, despite being taught far from Vietnam, offers a cultural bridge to her beloved homeland.

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