Over the years, the University of Civil Engineering (NUCE) has always supported and paid great attention to international students studying at NUCE. 

In response to international students’ expectations, the BODs approve to open the course entitled "Advanced Vietnamese language training for Lao and Cambodian international students". The course runs from January to April 2021. Students join the course from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., 2 sessions per week. Teachers from the Department of Vietnamese, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University, were invited to teach the course.

There was a lack of teacher-student interaction in the first lesson. They were afraid of asking questions; therefore, the classroom environment was not productive. After 3 months of studying, registrants were able to communicate and interact with their teacher and friends in Vietnamese confidently.

The final exam would be taken in 4 skills: Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening on April 5, 2021. Particularly, a speaking test is performed in topic-based presentation. Each group member was made to give a presentation. Teachers then evaluate their performance while other students raise follow-up questions to discuss. Raising questions for discussion is also calculated for oral communication skills. Students, thus, contribute positively to the class discussion which made a joyful atmosphere even on exam day.

The course ended in the delight of Lao and Cambodian students. The students highly appreciate the teachers’ knowledge and skills and the benefits they received after the Vietnamese course. It is expected that more useful courses not only in language but also other skills are open to international students. Those courses help boost students’ confidence in their learning process and easily integrate with teachers and friends, enhancing the connection with the novel learning environment. Moreover, the course is aimed to help foreign students gain more understanding of the culture, lifestyle and people of Vietnam where they reside during their university time along their way to fulfill dreams for the future.