Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Chris Sheen, an expert teacher trainer from Oxford University Press with over 25 years of experience in the field of English Language Teaching, for an enlightening session on “Improving Student Engagement: Inquiry-based Learning (IBL) with Oxford Discover Futures”. At VUS, the IBL approach has become a cornerstone in our classrooms, emphasizing student engagement, teamwork, and critical thinking to ensure that students remain at the heart of every lesson.
The workshop was tailored to connect with VUS teachers of varying experience levels, offering either a valuable revision or fresh insights, depending on each attendee’s background. He emphasized the importance of understanding the methodology behind the Oxford Discover Futures coursebooks – the coursebooks designed by Oxford University Press that VUS is using. By participating in the workshop, teachers had the chance to learn more about IBL and Global Skills methodology. They gained skills for immediate application, and also long-term benefits for their teaching practice.
Chris was delighted by the active participation and enthusiasm from our teachers, noting that their dedication to continuous professional development is evident. As he shared, “The teachers, always eager to learn, filled the room with ‘educator dialogues’ and laughter, creating a vibrant atmosphere. By investing a small amount of their time consistently to attend workshops, VUS teachers show their appreciation and commitment toward life-long learning and professional development to make their teaching life a little easier and their students’ learning a little deeper.”
One of the attendees, Ms. Bui Thi Ngoc Hanh, a teacher from the To Ky 2 Campus, found the workshop to be outstanding. Reflecting on the experience, she shared, “Sheen’s engaging presentation style, along with a wealth of useful information, really delivered a profound session about IBL and how we can apply it in the context of VUS. For example, I really liked his presentation about the warm-up activity, where the teacher can give some fun facts to students through the True & False activity. Other than helping students learn something new, this activity also follows the general principle of IBL, which is taking students as the center, by drawing students’ attention and promoting inclusivity.”
“The workshop was very compact, which means it was time-saving, yet still able to deliver all the needed information perfectly. What I liked best about the session was the part about Global Skills, as it proved to be very practical in a real classroom setting. I could already imagine how I would apply them to my classes just by hearing about them. I already learned about IBL before but I sometimes forgot and chose another approach for my classes. That’s why the workshop was more like a reminder about how to make the students the center of the lessons.” – Mr. Nguyen Dang Bao, Vietnamese teacher, VUS Nguyen Anh Thu 2.
This workshop is yet another step in our ongoing journey to enhance the quality of education at VUS. With the knowledge and techniques shared, teachers will continue to enhance their teaching methods, creating more engaging and effective learning experiences for their students.
With nearly 30 years of experience in English education in Vietnam, VUS has grown its network to 73 campuses and more than 2,700 qualified teaching staff nationwide.
VUS is proud to be recognized with two awards at the Vietnam Technology Excellence Awards 2025, honored as an Inspirational Brand at APEA for two consecutive years, and acknowledged through various national and international awards.
When joining VUS, teachers and teaching assistants enjoy a wide range of practical benefits that support long-term growth and commitment:
- Stable income: Steady and fair rewards for your efforts, allowing you to focus on teaching and growth.
- Ongoing professional training: Structured onboarding with entrance workshops and continuous support via sharing sessions and the Training Hub, led by Teaching Quality Managers holding master’s or doctoral degrees and extensive teaching experience.
- Modern, international-standard facilities: Diverse teaching tools, updated materials, and well equipped classrooms for a professional working environment.
- Engaging internal events: Activities that create opportunities to relax, connect with colleagues, and recharge your energy.
- Supportive colleagues: Work with a team that is always ready to share, support, and grow together.
- Clear career advancement: A transparent career path with many opportunities to challenge yourself and grow into higher roles.
VUS offers a professional workplace where you can strengthen your skills, grow your career, and inspire young learners across Vietnam:
– Expatriate Teachers: Experience teaching in Vietnam with international standards, integration support, and career development opportunities.
– Vietnamese Teachers: Continuously sharpen your expertise while helping students reach out to the world.
– Teaching Assistants: The first step to explore the teaching profession and gain valuable real-life classroom experience.
Start your teaching journey with VUS today!
