Integrated English in Ho Chi Minh City Preschools: What Will Children Learn?

Ho Chi Minh City is preparing to pilot an integrated English program in eligible public preschools, but parents are still waiting to learn exactly how it will differ from existing English activities and how much it will cost.

The city’s People’s Committee says the voluntary program will begin in the 2026-27 school year and run for three years. At the city preschool in Xuan Hoa Ward, one parent said she was ready to enroll her child because the program would allow the child to learn English at school instead of attending a weekend language center.

“I am quite curious about this program,” said Le Thi Tam, whose child is in a middle preschool class. “Instead of taking my child to a children’s English center at weekends, I will register for integrated English at school. My child can receive care and education while also having more opportunities to become familiar with English.”

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I am quite curious about this program. Instead of taking my child to a children’s English center at weekends, I will register for integrated English at school. My child can receive care and education while also having more opportunities to become familiar with English.

Other parents remain uncertain. One parent with a child in a younger class said the school’s existing advanced and integrated model already introduces English through daily activities. The parent said the current monthly payment was about 3 million dong, including the school model and meals, and worried that integrated English could raise costs. Since the pilot will be introduced for the first time, the parent wanted more information before deciding.

Hồ Thu Thảo, principal of the city preschool, said the current program provides three 30-minute English lessons each week, taught by native-speaking teachers. The planned integrated program would teach English through mathematics, science and exploration of the world around children. It is expected to provide four lessons per week for younger and middle preschool classes, and six lessons for the oldest class. Thảo said the school had only received initial information and was still waiting for detailed guidance on content and implementation.

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The school has only received initial information so parents can understand the plan. The detailed content and organization are still awaiting guidance.