On October 18, a ceremony to present Vietnamese proficiency certificates to candidates who had taken the computer-based examination under the six-level Vietnamese language proficiency framework for foreigners was held in Osaka, Japan. This marked a notable milestone in efforts to promote the teaching, learning and assessment of Vietnamese proficiency in Japan.
The ceremony was attended by Nguyen Truong Son, Consul General of Viet Nam in Osaka; Le Thuong, Director of the Centre for Vietnamese Studies in Japan; Professor Shimizu Masaaki, Head of the Vietnamese Language Department at Osaka University of Foreign Studies; Professor Kondo Mika of the Centre for Vietnamese Studies in Japan; as well as representatives of relevant organisations, educators and candidates who had taken the examination.
Speaking at the ceremony, Consul General Nguyen Truong Son emphasised the significance of holding, for the first time in Osaka, the Vietnamese proficiency test under the six-level Vietnamese language Proficiency Framework for Foreigners in a computer-based format. This initiative contributes to standardising Vietnamese language teaching and assessment and promoting the language internationally. It also encourages Vietnamese language learning and helps preserve and promote national cultural identity among the overseas Vietnamese community.
The Consul General also noted that organising the examination creates opportunities for Japanese people to gain a deeper understanding of Viet Nam's language, culture and people, thereby strengthening people-to-people exchanges, promoting mutual understanding and fostering friendship between Viet Nam and Japan. He also acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts made by the Centre for Vietnamese Studies and relevant organisations in preparing for and organising the examination.
At the ceremony, representatives of the organising committee presented certificates to candidates who had achieved the required results in the examination. These certificates recognise learners' learning journeys, practice and efforts, while also motivating candidates to continue improving their Vietnamese proficiency and use the language more effectively in their studies, work and cultural exchanges.
Matsuoka Reina, a student at Osaka University who achieved the B5 Vietnamese Language Certificate (Level 5 of the six-level proficiency framework), expressed her joy and emotion at taking the national Vietnamese proficiency examination for the first time and achieving the result she had hoped for. She expressed her hope that she would continue to study Vietnamese well and become a bridge between Viet Nam and Japan in the future.
Holding the computer-based examination in Osaka is of practical significance in expanding opportunities for learners in Japan to have their Vietnamese proficiency assessed under a unified standardised framework. For the overseas Vietnamese community, the initiative also helps maintain the mother tongue, connect generations with their homeland and preserve national cultural identity.
For Japanese people who have an interest in Vietnamese, the examination provides additional opportunities to assess their language proficiency, strengthen their motivation to learn and gain greater access to Vietnamese culture. In this way, Vietnamese serves as a bridge for promoting educational and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries.
On this occasion, the Consulate General of Viet Nam in Osaka presented a letter of commendation in recognition of the efforts and contributions of the Centre for Vietnamese Studies in coordinating the organisation of the examination, thereby helping promote Vietnamese language teaching, learning and outreach in Japan.
The certificate presentation ceremony not only recognised the candidates' achievements but also demonstrated the attention and cooperation of agencies, educational organisations and the community in preserving and promoting the Vietnamese language overseas. It also lays the groundwork for further developing Vietnamese language assessment activities in Japan to meet the learning needs of the overseas Vietnamese community and international friends.
Against the backdrop of the increasingly developing Viet Nam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, promoting the teaching and learning of Vietnamese contributes to strengthening mutual understanding, fostering friendship and expanding people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
