A student who is studying in the UK has sponsored a class in which a number of poor children in northern Viet Nam are taught English for free.

Half a year ago, Hoang Duc Huy together with Pham Thi Men, an instructor from the English Department of Hai Phong University, set up the class in a poor fishing village by the Lach Tray River in Ngoc Son Ward, Kien An District, Hai Phong City.

The classroom, which is run on a boat, is where 20 volunteers who are students from the English Department have taught the foreign language for children from 24 families in the village for free during the past six months.

Pham Thai Huy, a volunteer, is teaching for children at the class for free (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

Huy said he will donate VND16 million (US$746) every year to run the class.

“The class has received strong support from the English Department and volunteer students since it was established,” Huy said.

The class often runs for two hours every Saturday and Sunday.

Students are always seen excitedly raising hands to participate in their lessons during class sessions.

“I want weekends to come fast so that I can go to this class with my friends,” Kien, a student said. “The teachers make the lessons very easy to understand, and they often give us gifts so I love this place very much.”

At the end of each class, students are often entertained with movies or activities related to English learning.

“Each volunteer receives only VND50,000 [US$2.33] a shift, but they usually spend money from their own pockets on buying school supplies and confectionery to give to high-achieving students,” co-founder Men said.

“When the children first joined the class, they complained that it’s hard and wanted to quit,” Pham Thai Huy, 21, a volunteer teacher said. “We have patiently persuaded them to continue studying so now they learn fast and really love it.”

Many families in the village desire to send their kids to school but they simply cannot afford it.

“No one in my family went to school. We wish he can learn English so that his life will be better,” Tran Van Doan, 57, talked about his 6^th grade grandchild studying in the free class. “Seeing him practice English on the weekend, I feel pleased even though I don’t understand a single word.”

Doan added that before the class was established, his grandchild often helped his grandparents with fishing or other jobs, but now the family is trying their best to let their kid go to school.

Those running the class is now seeking for more volunteers and nurturing a plan to open another class to help local adults improve literacy.

(Source: Tuoi Tre News)