RMIT Vietnam proposes integrated framework for English-medium instruction

The framework was presented by RMIT Vietnam at the national symposium “Technological Solutions for the Implementation of the Policy to Make English the Second Language in Higher Education”, held in Hanoi on 3 April 2026. The symposium forms part of the implementation of the Politburo’s Resolution No. 71 on breakthroughs in education and training development.

Organised by the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilisation Commission in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and Vietnam National University - Hanoi, the symposium brought together representatives from Party and government agencies, higher education institutions, and education technology companies.

RMIT Vietnam was represented by Professor Iwona Miliszewska, Dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Technology, and Mr Hossein Davari, Director of the School of English and University Pathways. Drawing on RMIT’s experience as an English-medium university in Vietnam, the presentation focused on how strong pedagogy, institutional capability, and educational technology can work together to support EMI in a sustainable way. 

RMIT's integrated framework for effective EMI implementation is built around three interconnected pillars: student readiness, educator development, and quality assurance and governance.

Student readiness forms the foundation of effective English-medium learning. Beyond general language proficiency, students require academic English capabilities, discipline-specific communication skills, and the learning strategies that enable them to engage confidently with complex academic content. Pathway and preparatory programs play an important role in supporting this transition, equipping students with the skills and confidence to succeed in English-medium environments.

Educator development is equally central to effective EMI delivery. Teaching effectively in English requires not only a high level of language proficiency but also the pedagogical expertise to support learning in multilingual and multicultural classrooms. Continuous professional development, communities of practice, and opportunities to adopt innovative approaches – including AI and digital technologies – enable educators to adapt and respond to evolving teaching and learning contexts.

Quality assurance and governance provide the institutional backbone that ensures EMI is implemented consistently and sustainably. Robust curriculum design, clear academic governance processes, and systematic monitoring of learning outcomes help maintain high teaching standards while ensuring that educational innovations remain aligned with institutional priorities and objectives.

In addition, enabling systems play a critical role in allowing this pedagogical framework to be effectively implemented, sustained, and scaled. These systems – whether in the form of institutional policies and procedures, the use of technology and AI, broader digital transformation initiatives, or structured student support services – can act as powerful enablers of success. When aligned, they accelerate impact; when fragmented, they can constrain progress.   

At RMIT Vietnam, these elements are embedded in the university’s approach to English language education. Student readiness is supported through structured pathway and preparatory programs. Educator capability is strengthened through initiatives such as Teacher Talks, the RMIT-led community of practice for English language teachers across Vietnam. Quality assurance and governance are maintained through established academic frameworks that guide curriculum design, teaching standards, and assessment practices, ensuring consistency, quality, and continuous improvement across the institution.

The presentation also highlighted how educational technology and AI can enhance the delivery of English-medium instruction when applied purposefully. Examples included AI supported content development, simulated practice environments that enable educators to refine their teaching in English, adaptive learning support tailored to student needs, and AI-assisted assessment design that is aligned with intended learning outcomes.

A key example of technology-enabled impact shared at the symposium was the Vietnam National Forum on Education Innovation with AI – a large-scale collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Training and RMIT Vietnam since 2025. Delivered nationwide, the program provided AI training to more than 359,000 educators (including over 61,000 teachers in rural and remote areas) last year.

This landmark initiative demonstrates how sustained academia-government collaboration can support nationwide capability building and inclusive access to professional development. It also reflects RMIT Vietnam’s broader civic engagement in supporting national education priorities through practical, scalable, and high-impact solutions. 

Building on this foundation, RMIT Vietnam leaders at the symposium reaffirmed the University’s strong commitment to accompanying the higher education sector on its transition to English-medium instruction. The University stands ready to deepen collaboration with government, industry partners, and other institutions to advance EMI through expertise sharing, targeted educator development, robust quality assurance frameworks, and technology-enabled solutions.

Story: Ngoc Hoang