If a foreigner can master Vietnamese, why do Vietnamese students still struggle with English?

I wrote an earlier article about how students act like a deer in headlight when a western teacher speaks English.

I was reminded of a story a colleague told me not long ago. Her daughter, an eighth-grader, studies English with a native teacher from the U.K.

One day in class, that teacher shocked the entire class in the best way possible. He spoke Vietnamese, and fluently! His pronunciation, tone, and even his use of slang were so natural that the whole class felt like they were learning English from a Vietnamese teacher who truly understood their culture.

How could a British teacher speak Vietnamese that well? How did he manage to master one of the world's most challenging languages and speak it like a native?

The answer is neither luck nor talent. His fluency was the result of consistent, determined, and serious study. Vietnamese is known for its six tones, complex sounds, and context-dependent vocabulary, all of which make it one of the hardest languages for foreigners to learn.

But there is a deeper reason. More and more native-speaking English teachers in Vietnam now understand that to teach English well, they must first understand their Vietnamese students, from their mindset, learning style, to how they express themselves when speaking a foreign language. By learning the students' native language, teachers can explain mistakes more clearly, give better examples, and create a more personal connection in the classroom. This British teacher's fluent Vietnamese is proof of his professionalism and commitment to teaching.

A foreign teacher (L) attends and English teaching training session in Vinh Phuc Province, northern Vietnam, in 2022. Photo courtesy of Vinh Phuc Department of Education and Training

The story also raises a broader question: Are we, the Vietnamese parents and students, truly prepared to learn a foreign language well? If a foreigner can master Vietnamese, then English is not an impossible barrier to overcome. It is a journey that requires method, persistence, and the right environment. Sadly, even after 10 years of English classes, many Vietnamese students still hesitate to speak, mispronounce basic words, or cannot follow a native speaker. The real problem is not ability, but the approach.

From the example of the British teacher, I believe the most important step for Vietnamese students is to change the way we think about learning English. Instead of treating it as just another exam subject, we should see it as a real communication tool. When children are motivated by the need to express themselves, not by scores, they learn faster and more naturally. A 6th or 8th grader can absolutely pronounce well and communicate confidently if they change how they approach English.

Alongside this change, we must build an environment where students are exposed to English regularly. A few classroom lessons per week or textbook exercises are not enough. If a British teacher can learn fluent Vietnamese by living in an immersive environment, then Vietnamese students need the same: Watching English films, listening to music, reading books, following vloggers, or simply talking to native teachers without fear of making mistakes. Real progress comes when students overcome the fear of being wrong.

Parents also need to change how they support their children. We often put too much pressure on grammar drills and too little on communication. Yet the British teacher’s fluency came from actively using the language in daily life, not from memorizing rules. If parents encourage their kids to practice, speak up, and build confidence, they will improve much faster than through rote learning alone.

It is equally important for both native and Vietnamese English teachers to update their teaching methods. Native-speaking teachers who know Vietnamese can build better rapport with students. But they must also create learning environments that push students to use English more and avoid relying too heavily on their mother tongue. Teaching a foreign language is a delicate balance between understanding students and helping them step outside their comfort zones.

In the end, learning a new language has nothing to do with nationality, native accent, or starting point. What matters most is the willingness to learn, the opportunity to practice, and the persistence to keep going. If a foreigner can conquer Vietnamese, then Vietnamese students can absolutely master English, as long as they have the right method and enough determination.