Vietnamese language course boosts bilateral boffin banter

  The Ministry of Science and Technology ended a six month Vietnamese language course for 50 Lao government officials in Vientiane recently, to improve communication between Laos and Vietnam.
Director General of the ministry’s Science and Technology Administrative Institute, Mr Phimpha Outhachak, told the training course closing ceremony that improving Vietnamese speaking skills was an essential part of strengthening communication between the two countries and facilitating capacity building and knowledge exchange. 
He said the first Vietnamese language course taught in Laos from February to August this year helped to advance the special relationship between the two countries, as well as the various duties actively undertaken in scientific and technical research.
“Although English is the first language of the business world, a slow but sustained change is taking place. Vietnamese is gaining in importance as they are a major trading and cooperation partner,” he noted.
The training enabled participants to identify and improve their proficiency in Vietnamese; understand the language register required for the academic workplace; work towards clarity in speech and writing for the workplace; build on their strengths and improve their professional knowledge to effectively teach Vietnamese; and understand the importance of an interactive, learner-centred approach to passing on the language to other Lao government officials.
Following the training, several participants expressed a desire to continue their Vietnamese studies at the National University of Laos and master’s level in Vietnam.
Laos and Vietnam are encouraging government officials and related agencies to expand their collaboration in science and technology, which will be enhanced by the shared use of language.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update August 30, 2019)