In an era of global integration, English is no longer the exclusive asset of native-speaking countries, but has become a strategic tool for accessing knowledge, enhancing competitiveness and connecting cultures. Recognizing its importance, the USSH-VNUHCM continues to strengthen its language education programs, with academic depth and critical thinking as key foundations for sustainable development.
USSH-VNUHCM is advancing its strategy to enhance foreign language education in line with international standards, equipping students and learners with the skills needed for global engagement and in-depth academic research. International visiting professors play an important role in this strategy, bringing advanced theoretical perspectives and contemporary academic topics such as Global Englishes, intercultural communication and the deconstruction of stereotypes.
The University has actively invited experienced international scholars in the field of linguistics to join its teaching team. They include Dr. Héctor Ramiro Campos Berríos, whose expertise is in linguistics; Assoc. Prof. Stephen Halliday Moore, who has extensive research experience in linguistics and discourse analysis; and Prof. Robert Brian Waring, a leading scholar in second language acquisition. Their expertise contributes to strengthening academic depth, research approaches aligned with international standards and the University's efforts to enhance the quality of foreign language education.
Beyond developing students' capacity for international engagement, the University is also focusing on effective language use in increasingly globalized and multicultural contexts. Research on multicultural approaches to English language teaching reflects a shift from focusing primarily on the languages and cultures of English-speaking countries toward using English as a tool for global communication and intercultural understanding.
Viewing English as a global lingua franca rather than the exclusive property of native-speaking countries is also gaining increasing attention. A multicultural approach provides students with critical tools to recognize and challenge cultural stereotypes, contributing to a more inclusive academic environment that respects diversity.
Learning a foreign language does not mean cultural assimilation. USSH-VNUHCM's approach emphasizes empowering students to use English as a means of expressing and sharing their local identity. In this way, students can confidently present Vietnamese cultural values on the international stage while maintaining a balance between global integration and national cultural identity.
