Born and then brought up in Go Ha Village, Hoa Khuong Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang, Nguyen Thanh Long understands that rural children have difficulties in learning English.

A ‘1US$ English’ class in Go Ha Village, Hoa Khuong Commune, Hoa Vang District

Currently, Long is studying at the Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology in the city-based University of Science and Technology.

Therefore, in early June, the 22-year-old man established the ‘1 US$ English- Spreading English Language to Rural Areas’ project to teach English free-of-charge for rural poor children aged between 6 and 11 years old.

To date, two free English classes have been opened for poor children in rural areas. One is in Hoa Khuong Commune’s Go Ha Village and the other is in Hoa Nhon Commune’s Phuoc Hung Village. Each class now has 10 pupils in total. These classes are open on Saturdays and Sundays between 7.30am and 9.30am daily.

At the weekend classes, English has been taught by Long, and 7 other people who are mainly third-year and final-year students from universities across the city. In addition, Long has invited some foreign volunteers to teach and organise activities for his class attendees.

These classes have helped children in rural areas increase access to English learning opportunities.

A volunteer teacher helping the class attendees to do their homework

Mrs Tran Thi Son whose 6-year-old son Tran Van Lap and 8-year-old daughter Tran Thi Yen Nhi are learning English at Hoa Khuong Commune’s class said although she realised the importance of English language in this modern world, she cannot afford to send her kids to English centres. Hence, she was very happy with the free English class, and tried to take her kids to the class regularly.

“I love studying English very much. Teacher Long are very kindly so that we can understand English lessons very easily. Besides, we have fun time as playing exciting games to review our learnt lessons”, Yen Nhi said.

In order to maintain the effective operation of these classes, Long and his friends have made every effort to appeal for financial donations from generous donors.

“At present, we are in need of material and spiritual support from the community in a bid to expand the project into more rural areas across the country in the coming time” Long remarked.