The Faculty of Foreign Languages at Van Hien University recently held an “Exploring Language and Culture” programme at Anh Sang Shelter, giving children a chance to explore foreign languages through interactive activities. The programme also brought lecturers and students together in a shared effort to support the local community.
For the Faculty, learning extends beyond the classroom. Its focus on practical learning and community engagement was reflected in the “Exploring Language and Culture” programme at Anh Sang Shelter, where children were introduced to English and Korean through visual and interactive activities designed for their age group.
Rather than following a traditional lesson format, the programme used games, songs, storytelling, and other interactive activities to introduce language in a more natural way. Through these activities, the children became familiar with new sounds and vocabulary and learned how language could be used in simple situations. The relaxed format also helped them feel at ease and participate more actively.
The programme also gave children opportunities to explore different cultures and learn more about different countries. By combining language learning with cultural exploration, the activities encouraged children to be curious, ask questions, interact with others, and express themselves more confidently.
A key part of the programme was the direct involvement of lecturers and students from the Faculty of Foreign Languages. Throughout the sessions, they worked closely with the children during games, short lessons, and group activities. Their support helped create an open and welcoming environment where the children could participate with confidence and express their creativity.
The programme also gave students valuable experience outside the classroom. By helping to organise activities and working directly with the children, they were able to put their communication, teamwork, and organisational skills into practice. The experience also showed how academic learning can go hand in hand with care, responsibility, and service to others.
Activities like this are part of how Van Hien University encourages students to develop not only their academic and professional skills, but also a stronger sense of responsibility to others. The programme also reflected the University’s philosophy of “Thành Nhân trước thành Danh” (“character before achievement”), showing students that the value of what they learn lies not only in their own progress, but also in how they can contribute to society.
Here are some highlights from the programme:
Lecturers and students from the Faculty of Foreign Languages with children at Anh Sang Shelter
Students lead one of the learning activities
Children learn basic Chinese vocabulary
The activities encourage children to explore and enjoy learning foreign languages
The experience also encourages the Faculty to continue its community activities, expand opportunities for language practice, and create more meaningful learning experiences for students.