Authorities in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam have initiated a program to popularize English speaking among the locals, with the goal of improving communication with foreign tourists and thus giving a boost to the locality’s spearhead sector.

The program, titled 'Khanh Hoa Residents Speak English,' aims to raise the English speaking skill of all people in the province and support the province's goal of becoming an Asian model city, according to Nguyen Tan Tuan, chairman of the provincial People's Committee.

"English learning programs must be launched at government agencies, schools, business establishments, resorts, and commercial centers,” Tuan said. 

Nguyen Ngoc Tam, 58, a resident of Nha Trang, the provincial capital city, claimed that the introduction of the English program will benefit merchants like him because he now mostly relies on body language when interacting with foreign customers.

He also wants the simplest and easiest approach to learning English, and speaking classes should be held over and over again because senior citizens are slow in learning a language.

"I can only communicate with foreign customers through body language, therefore English is essential to all aspects of our daily life," Tam added.

“I want to study business English but I'm afraid that I will forget everything soon. Therefore, practicing is very important."

According to Tran Minh Duc, deputy director of Long Phu Tourism Company and chairman of the Khanh Hoa Travel Association, the English program will greatly benefit foreigners visiting the locality.

"In order to expand this program, each resident must have a sense of motivation, first and foremost, to improve themselves, in addition to the efforts of the authorities," Duc said.

“I hope that when foreigners visit any market or shop, vendors who are fluent in English would give them a good impression.”

The English learning program will be piloted in two localities, Nha Trang City and Cam Lam District, targeting students, workers who interact with foreign tourists, small business owners, and civil servants in the first stage in 2023.

The initiative will be applicable in other districts throughout the province until 2027. 

Furthermore, Khanh Hoa Province will establish a volunteer team and English clubs, as well as enhance investment in buildings, teaching equipment, and information technology infrastructure to assist English learners.

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