The program was highlighted by the sharing session of the keynote speaker, M.A. Pham Thuy Ha—Principal of Dang Tran Con Primary School; former Principal of Nguyen Van Troi Primary School; and former Deputy Head of the District 4 Department of Education and Training, Ho Chi Minh City—who created a sincere, profound, and inspiring dialogue on the journey of pursuing a career in education.
The event was attended by Ph.D. Tran Vu Diem Thuy, Head of the Applied Linguistics Division and Chair of the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, along with a large number of lecturers and students from the Faculty of Foreign Languages at HUFLIT.
Ph.D. Tran Vu Diem Thuy presented flowers to the guest speaker, M.A. Pham Thuy Ha.
Opening her sharing session, M.A. Pham Thuy Ha did not begin with dry academic concepts, but with her own life story—the journey from a young education student filled with aspirations yet many uncertainties, to standing confidently at the teaching podium and taking on leadership roles in educational management.
She shared that the path to the teaching profession is not always smooth. The early years of teaching were a period of continuous learning and adaptation, accompanied by constant self-reflection: how to become a good teacher, how to truly understand students, and more importantly, how not to lose one’s professional ideals amid real-life pressures. These experiences have enabled her to deeply empathize with today’s education students – those standing at the threshold of career choice, feeling both excitement and anxiety about the future.
The speaker sharing insights during the program.
A key message running throughout the talk was the image of the young teacher in the modern era: youthful yet not inexperienced, dynamic yet not superficial, pioneering while maintaining a solid professional foundation.
The speaker emphasized that English-major students in general, and those pursuing a teaching orientation in particular, need to proactively apply knowledge in practice—rather than waiting for opportunities, they should create opportunities for themselves. Flexibility in teaching methods, the ability to integrate technology, and innovation in lesson delivery are seen as distinct advantages of today’s young generation of educators.
Beyond professional expertise, communication skills were highlighted as a decisive factor in sustaining a long-term teaching career. According to M.A. Pham Thuy Ha, communication not only with students but also with parents and colleagues requires tact, sensitivity, and empathy. These qualities enable teachers to build a positive educational environment, minimize conflicts, and establish lasting trust.
Students listened attentively to the speaker’s sharing.
One of the most reflective and emotionally resonant moments of the program came when the speaker shared about the “heart” of the teaching profession. According to the speaker, professional knowledge can be cultivated over time and skills can be developed through experience, but passion for the profession and a sense of responsibility toward students are the indispensable core values of an educator.
A true teacher is one who always places learners’ interests and development first, teaching with dedication, empathy, and perseverance. It is this “heart” that becomes a source of strength, helping teachers overcome professional pressures, difficult periods, and the often-unseen challenges of life in the classroom. The message left a lasting impression and deeply touched students – especially those pursuing a teaching career, a noble profession that also demands resilience and sacrifice.
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The stories shared by the speaker served as a powerful source of motivation, inspiring students to continue pursuing the teaching profession.
During the Q&A session, students raised numerous questions regarding teacher recruitment processes, qualification requirements, professional competencies, and essential skills. In addition, they expressed interest in understanding student psychology – particularly that of primary and secondary school students in the digital age – as well as State regulations and policies for teachers, welfare benefits, and the issue of private tutoring, which has been receiving significant public attention.
Students participated enthusiastically in the Q&A session with the speaker.
The story of M.A. Pham Thuy Ha stands as a vivid testament to a steadfast, dedicated, and responsible journey in education. With the guidance and support of the University, together with sincere sharing from experienced educators, students—especially those majoring in English Language Teaching at HUFLIT—are further empowered with confidence to continue on their chosen path, from today’s classrooms to tomorrow’s teaching podium.
Students took commemorative photos with the speaker and lecturers at the program.
