150 cyclo drivers in Khanh Hoa Province's Nha Trang City have enrolled in a free English course to improve their communication skills with foreign tourists.
The Nha Trang City Labour Federation organises the three-month course. It is divided into morning and afternoon sessions, each lasting 30 to 40 minutes.
Since most participants are cyclo drivers, the curriculum is kept simple, focusing on famous landmarks, local cuisine, pricing, and giving directions in Nha Trang.
Over three months, the 150 drivers will also be introduced to English vocabulary with Vietnamese phonetic transcription, illustrated images, and QR codes that allow them to listen to pronunciation.
Driver Le Dinh Vu said he immediately signed up upon hearing about the course. "Learning vocabulary, listening, and speaking in English will help me feel more confident when interacting with my foreign customers," he said.
Instructor Nguyen Thi Hoai Duyen admitted feeling pressure when she first took the class. Most of her students are elderly and busy making a living, leaving them with little time for homework or extra practice.
"I had to carefully consider different teaching approaches to make the lessons engaging and find methods suited to their skill level and needs," Duyen explained. "The goal is simply for them to communicate effectively with their customers."
Le Quang Nhat, Chairman of the Nha Trang Tourist Cyclo Union and Vice Chairman of the Nha Trang City Labour Federation emphasised that the course benefits cyclo drivers as it provides a key tool for effective communication with international visitors.
According to Nhat, beyond this English course, the Nha Trang Tourist Cyclo Union is also exploring projects to teach other widely spoken languages to drivers.
Moreover, equipping drivers with English skills will enhance their interactions with foreign tourists and help promote local culture and stories to an international audience, contributing to tourism growth.
In recent years, Khanh Hoa province has established 230 free English clubs across six of its eight localities, providing accessible language learning opportunities for residents.
