Vietnamese Bookshelf: Connecting Overseas Vietnamese Community
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Vietnamese taught at hundreds of international institutions and centers

According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of the end of 2022, Vietnamese has been offered in numerous international schools and centers, with approximately 200 teaching facilities in the US, 39 classes in Thailand, 33 and 13 centers in Cambodia and Laos, respectively. These figures indicate a growing demand for Vietnamese language learning, not only among the Vietnamese community but also among foreign scholars and students with a particular interest in Vietnam.

Vietnamese is one of the eight languages offered through the Community Language Schools (CLS) program at Michigan State University (MSU).

In the United States, prestigious universities such as Michigan State University's (MSU) Community Language Schools (CLS) have incorporated Vietnamese into their language programs. Peter Truong, an American student of Vietnamese descent at MSU, shared with the press that growing up in a Vietnamese family but not being fluent in reading and writing Vietnamese, he often faced challenges when texting his mother in English, leading her to use Google Translate. This motivated him to learn Vietnamese, not only to communicate more easily but also to connect with his family and cultural roots.

Similarly, Elijah Savoie, an American student, chose to learn Vietnamese to better communicate with his Vietnamese girlfriend's family. Despite facing difficulties due to a lack of language background, Savoie persevered and found that learning Vietnamese not only helped him improve his communication skills but also allowed him to explore more aspects of Vietnamese culture.

Beyond MSU, Vietnamese is also taught at other universities such as Brown University in Rhode Island and Princeton University in New Jersey, with online learning options through Zoom, attracting many Vietnamese American students and international students.

Beyond the United States, Vietnamese is increasingly becoming a regular language taught in many other countries. In France, institutions such as the Vietnamese Studies Department at the University of Paris VII, the National Center for Scientific Research on Oriental Languages and Civilizations, and Jean de La Fontaine High School have integrated Vietnamese into their curricula. In Taiwan, since 2018, the government has included Vietnamese as an elective foreign language in the general education system.

In Thailand, November 2023 marked the opening of the first Vietnamese Studies Center at Udon Thani Rajabhat University. Since its establishment, the center has organized numerous programs to promote the Vietnamese language and culture in Thailand, such as the Lunar New Year program in February 2024 for Thai students learning Vietnamese and Vietnamese students studying in Thailand, and the Language and Culture Camp in Nong Khai province in March 2024.

Following this success, the College of Asian Scholars (CAS) in Khon Kaen province, Northeast Thailand, launched its Vietnamese Studies Center in June 2024. The establishment of this center is expected to provide a workforce with a good understanding of the Vietnamese language and culture for businesses and organizations cooperating with Vietnam.

Meanwhile, in Cambodia, the Royal University of Phnom Penh established the Vietnamese Studies Department in September 2022. This move was highly praised by then Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as it promotes trade and cultural exchange between the two countries and creates job opportunities for people in border areas.

In China, Vietnamese has become an official subject in many universities in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangxi, Yunnan, and more. Sichuan International Studies University in Chongqing has offered a Vietnamese major since 2009, contributing to the strengthening of cultural exchange between the two neighboring countries.

Opportunities and challenges

Despite the achievements of Vietnamese language teaching abroad, there are still many challenges to overcome. One of the biggest difficulties is the lack of suitable textbooks and materials for multilingual environments. Many students who grew up abroad often find it difficult to learn their mother tongue because the curriculum does not fully meet their needs.

A Vietnamese language course at Brown University.

Besides the scarcity of teachers experienced in teaching in multicultural environments is a significant disadvantage. Many teachers from Vietnam are unfamiliar with international pedagogical methods, which can hinder teaching effectiveness.

However, the potential for the Vietnamese language to flourish globally is immense, especially with the support of the Vietnamese government and overseas Vietnamese communities. The Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training has launched initiatives such as a contest to compile books for teaching and learning Vietnamese for overseas Vietnamese, the book series "Fun Vietnamese", "Vietnam Homeland", "Hello Vietnamese", and digitizing documents for easy and free access.

The Vietnam Education Publishing House is developing more Vietnamese book collections in various countries and regions, incorporating these books into public library systems worldwide. The ongoing research and development of supplementary materials, teacher training, and extracurricular activities for foreign students are laying a solid foundation for teaching Vietnamese globally.

Integrating Vietnamese into international schools not only preserves and promotes national cultural identity but also fosters diplomatic relations between Vietnam and other countries. For Vietnamese to truly reach a global audience, close cooperation among the government, educational institutions, and the overseas Vietnamese community is essential.

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