Ha Noi, Viet Nam – The British Council in Viet Nam today announced important updates to its English programme for adults, British Council English (BCE). Under the new system, students will move to a fixed, modular structure , with the same teachers and the same group of learners throughout each module to provide a clearer and more consistent learning pathway. The updated courses will officially commence from 6 April 2026.
In response to long-standing requests from both learners and teachers for fresher content and more constructive assessment, the programme has been enhanced with updated course materials, a strengthened assessment framework and AI-supported practice tools. These improvements support clearer and more measurable learning progress, giving adult learners more opportunities to practice regularly, receive timely feedback and build their confidence using English in real-world academic and professional contexts.
The updates reflect growing demand among adults in Viet Nam for practical English skills that support career advancement, further study and international opportunities. As Viet Nam continues to strengthen its global competitiveness – alongside the Ministry of Education and Training’s goal of making English a second language for students by 2035 – English proficiency is becoming an increasingly important capability for professionals working in international environments or planning to study abroad.
At the same time, the rapid development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities to support language learning, giving learners more options to practise and improve their English beyond the classroom.
Gemma Thompson, Academic Director of Adult English Programmes at the British Council in Viet Nam, said:
'Across Viet Nam, English proficiency is increasingly linked to access to global education and career opportunities. While learners today have more flexible ways to study English, many adult learners still benefit from a structured learning pathway that helps them practise consistently and achieve meaningful progress.
Drawing on nearly 90 years of global experience in English language teaching, the British Council has enhanced its English programme for adults with updated learning materials, a strengthened assessment framework and the integration of AI-supported speaking practice tools. By combining face-to-face learning with additional opportunities to practise outside class, the programme helps learners build confidence, accuracy and fluency when using English for work and study.'
Under the new structure, the British Council English course will be delivered through nine-week modules, providing learners with a clear and consistent learning pathway. During each module, learners study with the same teacher and attend a minimum of three hours of face-to-face classes per week. The programme uses new coursebooks available in both print and digital formats, designed specifically for adult learners and featuring engaging content and real-world topics such as workplace communication, study skills and travel.
The course takes a comprehensive approach to developing the four core English language skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing – aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), while also strengthening grammar, pronunciation and practical communication skills. Learners’ progress is supported through an integrated assessment framework, including continuous speaking assessment supported by AI marking based on pronunciation, fluency, range and accuracy, personalised teacher feedback on writing tasks, and a 60-minute end-of-module progress test to help learners track their development.
Alongside the face-to-face programme, the British Council is also introducing English Online (EOL) in Viet Nam – a flexible online English learning programme designed for people with busy schedules. Through 24/7 live online classes with international teachers, combined with interactive exercises and AI-supported speaking practice tools, learners can choose between group classes or private lessons according to their needs.
EOL is currently offered as a complementary option when enrolling in the BCE programme, allowing learners to combine classroom learning with online practice and organise their studies flexibly around their personal schedules while maintaining effective learning outcomes.
These courses are developed based on the British Council’s global expertise in English language teaching and assessment, drawing on UK educational standards and more than 90 years of experience supporting learners worldwide.
For more information and details on how to enrol, visit this link.