Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved a foreign language programme for state officials and civil servants from 2019-2030.

Teacher and students in an English class at Thanh Huong Junior Secondary School
in Thanh Liem district, the northern province of Ha Nam 

The programme aims to improve foreign language skills at work and on the international environment.

The programme will apply for State organisations, and social and political organisations from central to communal levels.

It targets that by 2025, half of state officials and civil servants at central level and 25 percent at provincial and district levels, especially those in managerial positions and under 40 years old, to have proficient foreign language skills.

Also by 2025, 20 percent of officials and civil servants at communal level, especially under-40-year-old managers, will have foreign languages certificates.

The programme targets that by 2030, the figures will rise to 60, 35 and 25 percent, respectively.

To implement the programme, one of the most important measures is to improve education and raise people’s awareness of the importance of foreign languages while working and adapting to the international environment.

The programme will offer policies to support officials and civil servants while they study foreign languages.

Tests will be held regularly to monitor the standard of teaching and learning.