English and communications skills, Improvements much needed!!! Options

[etalkishere]

Last night, I was called in to help my company with Vietnamese<->English translation. The conference call was close to midnight in the US, which was like morning in VN I think. Company A in Vietnam wants to do business with our company in the US.

Few Vietnamese engineers on the phone, only one of whom could speak English. We got pretty bad communications problem between the two sides. My American co-worker and myself were only able to understand 50% of the time of what the lead engineer was trying to say. I jumped in and helped translate Vietnamese->English and via versa, the other 50%. The international phone line quality was not that bad, so I can't really blame it.

I might be wrong, but from domestic news, it is the fact that many domestic Vietnamese professionals lack good English and communications skills. From my experience last night, that seems to confirm the fact.

To me, it is very important for domestic Vietnamese professionals to start significantly improve their English and communications skills to effectively do business and thrive, especially in a WTO environment. Once Vietnam is part of WTO, many foreign companies will come and do business in Vietnam. A lot of demand for professionals strong not only in technical but also in English and communications skills will be there. At least in the US, if one has strong communications skills, he/she can quickly go up the corporate ladder. I personally know some folks, who are technically strong but lack communications skills. They either slowly advance in the corporate ladder, or get laid off when worst time comes.

Your thoughts?

[SoCal]

Last night, I was called in to help my company with Vietnamese<->English translation. The conference call was close to midnight in the US, which was like morning in VN I think. Company A in Vietnam wants to do business with our company in the US.

Few Vietnamese engineers on the phone, only one of whom could speak English. We got pretty bad communications problem between the two sides. My American co-worker and myself were only able to understand 50% of the time of what the lead engineer was trying to say. I jumped in and helped translate Vietnamese->English and via versa, the other 50%. The international phone line quality was not that bad, so I can't really blame it.

I might be wrong, but from domestic news, it is the fact that many domestic Vietnamese professionals lack good English and communications skills. From my experience last night, that seems to confirm the fact.

To me, it is very important for domestic Vietnamese professionals to start significantly improve their English and communications skills to effectively do business and thrive, especially in a WTO environment. Once Vietnam is part of WTO, many foreign companies will come and do business in Vietnam. A lot of demand for professionals strong not only in technical but also in English and communications skills will be there. At least in the US, if one has strong communications skills, he/she can quickly go up the corporate ladder. I personally know some folks, who are technically strong but lack communications skills. They either slowly advance in the corporate ladder, or get laid off when worst time comes.

Your thoughts?

Vietnam needs to teach English to Vietnamese students upon them entering preschool, like what Singapore and India are doing.

This post has been edited by SoCal: Aug 17 2006, 12:15 PM

[canhong]

Vietnam needs to teach English to Vietnamese students upon them entering preschool, like what Singapore and India are doing.

It's happening now. My little cousins overthere have been learning foreign languages (English, Spanish, etc.) since 5-6 yo. Lots of other kids are doing the same.

I agree about the need to improve foreign language skills for highschool/college students and young professionals in Vietnam. We're losing out on a crapload of business and education opportunities....

c...

[Heavenandearth]

It is a corrupt system that means people with the skills don't get to job. But they are improving in speaking English.

[bluelakedragon]

Last night, I was called in to help my company with Vietnamese<->English translation. The conference call was close to midnight in the US, which was like morning in VN I think. Company A in Vietnam wants to do business with our company in the US.

Few Vietnamese engineers on the phone, only one of whom could speak English. We got pretty bad communications problem between the two sides. My American co-worker and myself were only able to understand 50% of the time of what the lead engineer was trying to say. I jumped in and helped translate Vietnamese->English and via versa, the other 50%. The international phone line quality was not that bad, so I can't really blame it.

I might be wrong, but from domestic news, it is the fact that many domestic Vietnamese professionals lack good English and communications skills. From my experience last night, that seems to confirm the fact.

To me, it is very important for domestic Vietnamese professionals to start significantly improve their English and communications skills to effectively do business and thrive, especially in a WTO environment. Once Vietnam is part of WTO, many foreign companies will come and do business in Vietnam. A lot of demand for professionals strong not only in technical but also in English and communications skills will be there. At least in the US, if one has strong communications skills, he/she can quickly go up the corporate ladder. I personally know some folks, who are technically strong but lack communications skills. They either slowly advance in the corporate ladder, or get laid off when worst time comes.

Your thoughts?

Man, talking about job security for you. You have something that your co-workers dont have - being able to speak Vietnamese.

Now, English is the hottest subject in Vietnam. Seem like almost every kids spend extra time on English tutoring in addition taking class at school.

[SoCal]

It's happening now. My little cousins overthere have been learning foreign languages (English, Spanish, etc.) since 5-6 yo. Lots of other kids are doing the same.

I agree about the need to improve foreign language skills for highschool/college students and young professionals in Vietnam. We're losing out on a crapload of business and education opportunities....

c...

It is good to heart that. In addition to English, I think we should learn Chinese Mandarin also.

[etalkishere]

Man, talking about job security for you. You have something that your co-workers dont have - being able to speak Vietnamese.

Now, English is the hottest subject in Vietnam. Seem like almost every kids spend extra time on English tutoring in addition taking class at school.

Not sure about job security. My company is big, and depending on the size of business deal, it might just be a small drop in the bucket. But I got pretty excited and actually volenteered for the translation job, even though it is out outside my area of responsibilities. It was actually the first time ever I actually talked to domestic Vietnamese engineers, live I actually felt good for a small contribution, in bridging Vietnam IT to the world

[Nha Le]

Not sure about job security. My company is big, and depending on the size of business deal, it might just be a small drop in the bucket. But I got pretty excited and actually volenteered for the translation job, even though it is out outside my area of responsibilities. It was actually the first time ever I actually talked to domestic Vietnamese engineers, live I actually felt good for a small contribution, in bridging Vietnam IT to the world

To fix the communication problem I would have them draw pictures and email it to me. HAHA


Sometime it could take hours to figure which button to push to make the machine go again.

[SoCal]

Not sure about job security. My company is big, and depending on the size of business deal, it might just be a small drop in the bucket. But I got pretty excited and actually volenteered for the translation job, even though it is out outside my area of responsibilities. It was actually the first time ever I actually talked to domestic Vietnamese engineers, live I actually felt good for a small contribution, in bridging Vietnam IT to the world

E Talk is one of my true heroes.

[etalkishere]

E Talk is one of my true heroes.

I hope you're joking, SoCal Too much an honor for me to take. Thanks, but no thanks

[havythoai]

It is a corrupt system that means people with the skills don't get to job. But they are improving in speaking English.

English is really a big matter of vietnamese students. The english ability of vietnamese student is very weak (me included), that's why I'm here to depend on everybody for helping me improve english through correcting my posts in here

This post has been edited by havythoai: Aug 18 2006, 12:16 PM

[etalkishere]

English is really a big matter of vietnamese students. The english ability of vietnamese student is very weak (me included), that's why I'm here to depend on everybody for helping me improve english through correcting my posts in here

So havythoai, you're currently living in VN? I thought your english wasn't that bad

[havythoai]

So havythoai, you're currently living in VN? I thought your english wasn't that bad

yeah, I'm living in VN. I witnessed many things of the english skill of vietnamese student that made me really ashamed. That's why none of vietnamese universities are recognized for international programs, no country in the world accepts the qualifications of vietnamese universities. This is really bored .

Did you read this article yet ? it's ashamed

http://tuoitre.com.vn/Tianyon/Index.aspx?A...mp;ChannelID=13

[Chancer~]

English is really a big matter of vietnamese students. The english ability of vietnamese student is very weak (me included), that's why I'm here to depend on everybody for helping me improve english through correcting my posts in here

You content is better, but carefully compare what you typed, to what is written below.

English is really a big matter of Vietnamese students. The English ability of Vietnamese student is very weak (I included), that's why I'm here to depend on everybody for helping me improve English through correcting my posts in here

yeah, I'm living in VN. I witnessed many things of the english skill of vietnamese student that made me really ashamed. That's why none of vietnamese universities are recognized for international programs, no country in the world accepts the qualifications of vietnamese universities. This is really bored .

Did you read this article yet ? it's ashamed

http://tuoitre.com.vn/Tianyon/Index.aspx?A...mp;ChannelID=13

Hope I am not to critical. Comparison the paragraphs below.

You wrote:
yeah, I'm living in VN. I witnessed many things of the english skill of vietnamese student that made me really ashamed. That's why none of vietnamese universities are recognized for international programs, no country in the world accepts the qualifications of vietnamese universities. This is really bored .

I wrote:
Yes, I live in VN. I have witnessed the lack of English skills of Vietnamese students that made me very ashamed. That's why none of Vietnamese universities are recognized for international programs, no country in the world accepts the qualifications of Vietnamese universities. (You said the same thing twice in the previous sentence) This is really bad.

[Johannjs]

^guess which of them wrote more ungrammatical English?

[Heavenandearth]

Why do you think it is so poor? Vietnamese students study extremely hard. All of them take extra tuitions.

Some of you here nipicking on my English should go and do something more constructive? How about it. There is a real need for you guys. Take a year or two get back to your roots.

[TINMAN]

It's happening now. My little cousins overthere have been learning foreign languages (English, Spanish, etc.) since 5-6 yo. Lots of other kids are doing the same.

I agree about the need to improve foreign language skills for highschool/college students and young professionals in Vietnam. We're losing out on a crapload of business and education opportunities....

c...

Just out of curiosity but are these English classes taught by Australian, British, or American professors?

[Heavenandearth]

Some are but very expensive. Only for Hoho jinxs can afford.

This post has been edited by Heavenandearth: Aug 18 2006, 05:03 PM

[etalkishere]

Before it gets, unnecessarily, carried away again, like quite a few other threads ...

We just have to slow down a little bit here. Bro havythoai was honestly wanting help, from all bros here, to improve his English skills ("If there is any mistake about English that I made. Please report to me."). Bro Chancer~ was just trying to help. I don't think it is more complicated than that.

I suggest maybe we should create a pinned thread "Let's Learn English", just like what we have now "Let's Learn Vietnamese". My crazy idea is that, hopefully bros/sis who are strong in English can help our Vietnamese bros/sis in Vietnam who are eager to improve their English skills. Let's help each other and see if we all, Vietnamese and overseas Vietnamese, can work and build bridges together as a team

With that being said, what do you all think of my crazy idea?

[Johannjs]

Why do you think it is so poor? Vietnamese students study extremely hard. All of them take extra tuitions.

Some of you here nipicking on my English should go and do something more constructive? How about it. There is a real need for you guys. Take a year or two get back to your roots.

Hey, nobody said anything about your English (which is getting better and better )

Just out of curiosity but are these English classes taught by Australian, British, or American professors?

Sadly, not "professors" -- backpackers and high school drop-outs in their native countries generally, although probably not all.