Enhancing active teaching in Vietnam: Challenges and progress toward the 2018 education standards

Abstract

This study aims to assess the awareness, skills, and factors influencing the effectiveness of active teaching methods implemented by Vietnamese teachers to meet the requirements of the 2018 General Education Program. A survey was conducted with 1,291 secondary and high school teachers in the northern region of Vietnam. The collected data were analyzed to evaluate teachers' theoretical understanding, practical application and barriers to implementing active teaching methods. The results indicate that teachers possess a strong theoretical foundation in active teaching methods. Their practical application remains limited, particularly at the high school level among teachers with over 15 years of experience. Key barriers include exam pressure, insufficient teaching facilities, large class sizes, and disparities in student abilities. Younger teachers (<15 years of experience) tend to implement active teaching methods more effectively due to training aligned with the updated curriculum.  It is crucial to increase teaching practice opportunities, improve classroom conditions and adjust the curriculum to alleviate pressure on learners to enhance the effectiveness of active teaching. This study provides valuable empirical data contributing to the development of strategies to improve education quality within the context of educational innovation in Vietnam.