In about 150 words, write a paragraph on the formal school education system in Vietnam, using the information given in Speaking Tasks on page 47. You may follow the suggestions below. (Trong khoảng 150 từ, hãy viết một đoạn văn ngắn về hệ thống giáo dục Việt Nam, sử dụng thông tin cho sẵn trong phần Speaking trang 47.)

• Levels of education: primary (5 years: start from the age of 6)

                             lower secondary (4 years)

                             upper secondary (3 years)

•  Compulsory education: 9 years (primary & lower secondary)
•  The academic year: 35 weeks (9 months, from September to May)
•  School terms: 2 terms: term 1 (Sept – Dec.), term 2 (Jan. – May)
•  Time of the national examination for GCSE (early June)

Guide to answer

The formal school system in Vietnam consist of three levels of education, primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education. The children start Grade/Year 1 at the age of 6 and they normally complete the primary education at the age of 10. They move to lower secondary school to study in Grade 6 when they are 11 years old. They will finish nine-year compulsory education when they complete Grade 9 at the age of 14. The children may go to upper secondary school if they pass all the subjects tested at the end of Grade 9. They will stay there until they complete Grade 12 at the age of 17. If they want to sit for the entrance exam to universities or colleges they have to take the national examination for GCSE which takes place at the end of May or beginning of June. The academic year in Vietnam runs from September to May and is divided into two terms. The first term ends in January with a week holiday and the second term finishes in May before a long summer holiday comes.