Preserving Local Values, Integrating to be Global Citizens
Students in Preparatory – Grade 5 are taught both the Ministry of Education and Training curriculum (MOET) and the English as a Second Language and Science Cambridge International curriculum. Our Bilingual programme develops students’ skills in mathematics, language, and more while encouraging inquiry and enthusiasm for learning. Although the emphasis is given to global perspectives, our Bilingual programme embraces Vietnamese values and culture. We offer a play and structured inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning.
Subjects following the Vietnamese Programme:

Vietnamese
Vietnamese
Vietnamese lessons focus on helping students to form and develop understanding in specific areas, including:
- love for nature, family, and Vietnam;
- cultural awareness;
- emotional stability;
- interest and love for learning;
- integrity in study and life;
- sense of responsibility towards self, family, society and the surrounding environment.
Students initially form basic reading, writing, speaking and listening skills such as:
- reading correctly and fluently;
- understanding content;
- correct spelling and grammar;
- writing sentences, paragraphs and short essays;
- speaking clearly;
- effective listening.
Students will also distinguish between and be able to read poems and stories; recognize the beauty of artistic words; develop imagination, understand and be moved by the beauty and goodness of people and the surrounding world expressed in literary texts.
The level of reading and writing is gradually increased with each class. After completing the programme, the level of achievement for each class are shown as follows:
For Grade 1
- Read a passage of about 90 words correctly. The reading speed should be about 40 – 60 words per minute.
- Correctly write a 30 – 35 word passage both by transcribing and by listening in 15 minutes.
For Grade 2
- Read a passage of about 150 words correctly. The reading speed should be about 60 – 70 words per minute.
- Listen to and then write out a poem or passage of about 50 – 55 words in 15 minutes.
For Grade 3
- Read a passage of about 200 words correctly. The reading speed should be about 70 – 80 words per minute.
- Listen, recall and write a passage of about 60 – 70 words in 15 minutes.
For Grade 4
- Read a passage of about 250 words correctly. The reading speed should be about 90 – 100 words per minute.
- Listen, recall and write a passage of about 80 – 90 words in 15 minutes.
For Grade 5
- Read a passage of about 300 words correctly. The reading speed should be about 100 – 120 words per minute.
- Listen, recall and write a passage of about 100 words in 15 minutes.

Mathematics
Mathematics
In Mathematics, students learn basic maths skills and knowledge regarding numbers and problem-solving, common quantities and their measurements, geometry and statistical factors like simple probabilities.
Grade 1:
- Read and write numbers up to 100. Add and subtract up to 100.
- Identify basic shapes such as: squares, triangles, circles, cubes and rectangular prisms.
- Solve problems with addition or subtraction of several units.
Grade 2:
- Read, write and compare numbers up to 1000. Add and subtract numbers up to 1000.
- Recognise the facts (or elements) of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
- Problem-solving with addition and subtraction.
Grade 3:
- Practice 2, 3, 4 and 5 times tables and division tables. Develop 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 times tables. Introduce numbers up to 100,000. Add and subtract 3 digit numbers.
- Introduce geometric elements. Find the perimeter and area of rectangles and squares.
- Solve two-step problems and solve problems with geometric content.
Grade 4:
- Read, write and compare numbers up to a million. Introduce a billion. Practice solving problems with fractions with up to 2 or 3 steps.
- Solve expressions with numbers and variables using 4 mathematical operations.
- Introduce the rhombus and the formula to find the area of a parallelogram or rhombus.
- Problem-solving: find two numbers from a known sum or difference and their ratio, find two numbers based on a sum, and find the difference between them.
Grade 5:
- Read, write and perform calculations with decimals and measurements of time.
- Introduce the concept of percentages. Read and write percentages.
- Calculate perimeter, area and volume of shapes. Introduce the concepts of speed, time, and distance. Perform simple maths problems about uniform motion and motion in the same or opposite direction.

History and Geography
Upper Primary only
History and Geography
Students’ learning about history and geography includes applying knowledge and skills learned, forming and developing common competencies, self-control and self-study, communication and cooperation, problem-solving and creativity. The subjects help students explore the natural world and society around them and enhance national pride, love for nature and the homeland, raise awareness for protecting nature, preserving and developing Vietnamese cultural values, respecting cultural differences between countries and peoples, thereby contributing to the formation and development of patriotic, compassionate, hardworking, honest and responsible citizens.
The programme content includes basic and essential knowledge and skills about geography and history of the local region, Vietnam and neighbouring countries, and some basic features of geography and history in the world.

Lifestyle Education
Lifestyle Education
This subject aims to form and develop in students the initial understanding of ethical and accepted standards of behaviour. It helps students to recognise and adjust their own emotions, attitudes and behaviours. They will also observe, understand and learn about their family, homeland, country and behaviour, plan and implement personal goals, and form basic, necessary habits and routines for academic and personal life. In the 2022-2023 school year, students will study the following themes:
Grade 1
Topics covered include:
- Self-care
- Love your family
- Take care of your family and loved ones
- Classroom rules
- Routine activities
- Independence
- Honesty
- Preventing accidents and injuries
Grade 2
Topics covered include:
- My hometown
- Respect teachers and love friends
- Understand the value of time
- Admit and correct your own mistakes
- Keeping your personal belongings safe at school and being responsible for belongings at home
- Identify and express your feelings
- Learn to ask for help and support from others
- Follow the rules of public places
Grades 3, 4, and 5
Topics covered include:
- Understanding yourself
- Relationships with others (Interpersonal relationship)
- Working relationship
- Developing a relationship with the community, country and humanity
- Developing a relationship with nature

Computer Science
From Grade 3 and up
Computer Science
This subject helps students develop an initial understanding of Information Technology and its applications in life and learning.
Students develop the ability to use computers in learning other subjects, in a range of activities and for entertainment in order to improve the quality of education and create the conditions for students to adapt to modern life. Students will use computer tools to solve problems.
Grade 3+
- Topic 1: Getting to know computers
- Topic 2: Practising drawing
- Topic 3: Text editing
- Topic 4: Design a presentation
Grade 4
- Topic 1: Discover your computer
- Topic 2: Practising drawing
- Topic 3: Text editing
- Topic 4: Design a presentation
- Topic 5: Logo World
Grade 5
- Topic 1: Discover your computer
- Topic 2: Text editing
- Topic 3: Design a presentation
- Topic 4: Logo World
- Topic 5: Studying music
The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has just issued a document guiding the implementation of the Practical Activities Program in Primary School in the General Education Program issued under Circular No. 32/2018/TT-BGDĐT dated 26 December 2018 of the Minister of Education and Training (GDPT 2018 Program).
In terms of content, the Practical Activities program prescribes three content circuits for grade 1: self-directed activities, social-oriented activities, nature-oriented activities, and four content circuits for Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5: self-directed activities, social-oriented activities, nature-oriented activities and career orientation activities. In addition, local educational content is integrated in the Practical Activities including basic or current issues of culture, economy, society, environment, career guidance.
In terms of type, practical activities are carried out through four main types of activities: assemblies, class activities, educational activities by thematic and club activities (of which the club is elective type). Organized experiential activities are held inside and outside the classroom, inside and outside of school according to group size, class size, grade level or school size.
Subjects following the International Programme:

Mathematics
Mathematics
Maths concepts are taught within the Vietnamese curriculum, the aim of Maths in English is to ensure that students understand maths-related vocabulary in English. Vocabulary covered includes numbers, fractions, decimals, shapes, measures and directions. In Grade 5 links are made to the Cambridge Maths curriculum in preparation for transition to Year 7 where Maths is taught in English.

English Language
English Language
Preparatory
Students follow the targets from Stage 1 Cambridge English as a Second Language curriculum.
Topics covered include:
- Me
- My family
- My favourite things
- My school
- My classroom
- Places around us
- Getting around
- My day
- People and animals.
Key skills developed:
- Speaking and Listening – Be able to give basic information about themselves and respond to questions, describing objects in terms of colour and size, describing actions of people and animals.
- Reading – Learn the English alphabet and begin to blend sounds together to read regular 3 and 4-letter words, learn high-frequency words, share simple traditional stories with the teacher.
- Writing – Labelling pictures, using word mats to copy topic words, begin to write simple sentences with support.
Grade 1/2
Students follow the targets from Stage 2 and Stage 3 Cambridge English as a Second Language curriculum.
Topics covered include:
- Weather
- Clothes
- Feelings
- The world around us
- Our bodies
- Free time
- Jobs
- Famous people
- Keep in touch.
Key skills developed:
- Speaking and Listening – Be able to give basic information about themselves and respond to questions, describing objects in terms of colour and size, describing actions of people and animals.
- Reading – Learn the English alphabet and begin to blend sounds together to read regular 3 and 4-letter words, learn high-frequency words, share simple traditional stories with the teacher.
- Writing – Labelling pictures, using word mats to copy topic words, begin to write simple sentences with support.
Grade 3/4
Students follow the targets from Stage 4 and Stage 5 Cambridge English as a Second Language curriculum.
Topics covered include:
- My country
- Different countries
- Planning a trip
- Sport
- Food and health
- In your head
- Transport
- Travel
- Changing times.
Key skills developed:
- Speaking and Listening – To be able to confidently talk about themselves including information about their family and interests, listen to longer stories and recall the main events, understand key information in a range of topics.
- Reading – Learn long vowel sounds and common letter combinations, develop decoding skills and build up sight vocabulary, start reading simple stories and information texts independently.
- Writing – Start to spell regular words, understand some spelling rules like plurals, write sentences to tell a story and record information. Begin to understand sentence structure and use of verbs, adjectives and pronouns.
Grade 5
Students follow the targets from Stage 6 Cambridge English as a Second Language curriculum.
Topics covered include:
- Education
- People at work
- The arts
- Everyday wonders
- Entertainment
- Money
- Things that have changed our lives.
Key skills developed:
- Speaking and Listening – Communicate with greater confidence and express ideas and opinions, to be able to present information on a range of topics, and listen for key information in longer discussions.
- Reading – Develop confidence and fluency, reading comprehension including inference, understanding of characters and events, making predictions.
- Writing – Extend understanding of sentence structure and punctuation, develop accurate use of verbs and understanding of tenses. Write short stories and informational texts with greater accuracy.

Science
Science
Each year group follows a selection of topics from the Cambridge Science curriculum. Science provides an excellent opportunity for students to extend their knowledge of the world as well as extend their English vocabulary. A range of practical activities help students to develop their observational skills and other scientific skills like making predictions, measuring and interpreting data.
Preparatory
Students follow the targets from Stage 1 Cambridge Science curriculum.
Topics covered include:
Topics are taught integrated within the English curriculum.
Key skills developed:
Observe changes over a period of time, notice patterns and grouping objects or living things, make simple comparisons, ask questions and develop appropriate vocabulary.
Grade 1/2
Students follow the targets from Stage 2 and Stage 3 Cambridge Science curriculum.
Topics covered include:
- Living things in different places
- Polar explorer
- The science of my toys
- Growing and keeping healthy
- Journey to the international space station
- Plants
Key skills developed:
Make more detailed observations, carry out experiments and investigations, take measurements, find out information from books and videos, explain their findings and draw simple conclusions.
Grade 3/4
Students follow the targets from Stage 4 and Stage 5 Cambridge Science curriculum.
Topics covered include:
- Electricity
- States of matter
- Earth and beyond
- Living things including plants
- Lights and shadows
- Animals including humans.
Key skills developed:
Gain a deeper understanding of a wide range of scientific ideas, know that scientific questions can be answered in a variety of ways
Grade 5
Students follow the targets from Stage 6 Cambridge Science curriculum.
Topics covered include:
- Forces and movement on Earth and beyond
- Animals
- Materials
- Human health and disease
- Types of rocks
- Ecosystems
Key skills developed:
Gain a deeper understanding of a wide range of scientific ideas, know that scientific questions can be answered in a variety of ways, use appropriate scientific vocabulary to explain their observations and findings, know how to carry out a fair test and make accurate observations or measurements.

Environmental Management
Environmental Management
Environmental Management draws upon the science disciplines to teach learners about natural systems, natural resources and sustainable development. Learners explore the impact of human development on the environment and how this can be managed sustainably in the future.
A range of topics are covered throughout lower secondary, such as: the study of ecosystems; natural disasters and land management; oceans and their exploitation; agriculture and the environment; and Water Management.

Physical
Education
Physical
Education
-
- Increase confidence, moving with increasing control, fluency and variety;
- Improve their understanding of concepts, rules, tactics, strategies and compositional ideas;
- Participate in respectful and responsible ways, engaging appropriately and safely;
- Improve knowledge and understanding of how physical education can contribute to a healthy and active lifestyle;
- Develop transferable skills promoting physical, cognitive, and social development, and become independent, critical and reflective movers and thinkers.

Art and Design
Art and Design
-
- Develop creative skills that will help with many aspects of their future learning and development;
- Learn to see themselves as artists and become increasingly reflective and independent;
- Develop the skills needed to express ideas creatively and to communicate visually;
- Understand their place and the place of others in a creative, innovative and interconnected world.

Music
Music
-
- To cultivate a joy of music through participating in meaningful and enjoyable experiences;
- To develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to contribute as musicians;
- To collaborate with others in purposeful and expressive ways through singing and playing instruments;
- To nurture their individual and collective creativity;
- To use their growing knowledge to explore and generate music that is unique, relevant and valuable.

Nguyen Thi Khanh Linh
Integrated Bilingual Programme Grade 4 Teacher

Nguyen Thi Khanh Linh
Integrated Bilingual Programme Grade 4 Teacher
Years of Teaching Experience: 10+
Degree & Certifications: Bachelor of Foriegn Language – English; Bachelor of Economics – Business Administration; Certificate of Pedagogical Training; Master in Primary Education
Linh taught English for Vietnamese students aged 4-18 for seven years before commencing work at HAIS. She feels very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with students of all ages. Each age group has its own characteristics and interesting highlights. Working with Secondary students is challenging, however, Linh enjoys this age group the most.
Linh has been working at HAIS since 2019. She is delighted to be a member of the HAIS community. This is a school where the education, well-being and happiness of the students are always the primary focus. At HAIS, there are regular professional development sessions for teachers. Linh feels these are great opportunities for her professional growth as well as being immediately applicable to her work.
Fun fact: Linh is afraid of extreme rides so she has never even dared to try things such as roller coasters. However, she accepted her cousin’s invitation to go paragliding during summer three years ago. It was fortunate that she agreed as she was able to experience fifteen minutes of panoramic views of the beach from above. It was a life changing moment for her.

Nguyen Thi Chung Ha
Vietnamese Study Learning Lead, Integrated Bilingual Programme Grade 5 Teacher

Nguyen Thi Chung Ha
Vietnamese Study Learning Lead, Integrated Bilingual Programme Grade 5 Teacher
Years of Teaching Experience: 15
Degree & Certifications: Bachelor Degree
Ha is a Vietnamese literature teacher who has been working in education for 12 years with different age groups. She is currently teaching at HAIS as a Bilingual Primary School teacher and Vietnamese language teacher. This is also her third year being a member of HAIS.
Working at HAIS brings Ha a lot of joy. Most of her cheerful moments are created from the support and care of her students and colleagues as well as the school’s Leadership Team. Working at HAIS has given Ha the chance to discover her own abilities through interesting activities. These are the reasons why she is proud to be part of the HAIS community.
Fun Fact: Ha loves reading books about the countryside in Vietnam, seeing the paddie fields and smelling the ripened rice. On the way to work, occasionally, she stops on the side of the road to take a deep breath when she sees golden paddies.

Nguyen Thi Khanh Ly
Integrated Bilingual Programme Grade 1 Teacher

Nguyen Thi Khanh Ly
Integrated Bilingual Programme Grade 1 Teacher
Years of Teaching Experience: 4+
Degree & Certifications: Bachelor in Primary Education
Ly is teaching in the Bilingual Primary Programme and this is her 3rd year at HAIS. She is very happy to work in the HAIS family. She feels HAIS members are very friendly, open and willing to help others and the students are adorable and polite. She believes working with professional teachers is a great opportunity for her professional enhancement.
Fun Fact: Ly enjoys going out with friends and watching the sunset.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoang
Integrated Bilingual Programme Grade 2 Teacher

Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoang
Integrated Bilingual Programme Grade 2 Teacher
Years of Teaching Experience: 6+
Degree & Certifications: Bachelor Degree; Masters in Primary Education
Hoang has been with HAIS for 5 years. She started as an International Early Years Teaching Assistant before transitioning into the role of a Bilingual Programme teacher. Hoang feels she has good connection between the 2 programmes, thus enabling her to to bring the best support for language and learning activities to her students.
At HAIS, Hoang has participated in an IB Training Programme and taught myself through many Professional Development programmes. She has already completed specialized training in Dyslexia Awareness, supporting students with speech delay (Differentiation for Catch-up), EAL for the Classroom and Differentiation in Practice. Additionally, she participated in a training course organized by the Ministry of Education and Training for primary teachers on the book programme and effective teaching methods with students.
Fun fact: Hoang loves reading and has a free Book Garden dedicated to her family and community. Her favourite book so far is “Two Fates” by Jeffrey Archer.
Specialist Subjects Teachers

Frances Dobson
Specialist Subjects Learning Lead, Art Teacher, Year 11 Homeroom Teacher

Frances Dobson
Specialist Subjects Learning Lead, Art Teacher, Year 11 Homeroom Teacher
Years of Teaching Experience: 11+
Degree & Certifications: B.A. (Fine Arts), PGCE, Developmental Lesson Observation.
Frances has taught Art and Design across a range of age groups in both the UK and Hong Kong. She is a skilled painter and drawer and also enjoys printmaking, mixed media, conceptual art and ceramics. She brings a wide range of experience and expertise to the classroom, including the ability to instruct students across a broad range of techniques and processes.
Under the HAIS Continuing Professional Development programme, Frances completed professional development training in Dyslexia Awareness, EAL for Classroom Teachers, Tackling Low-Level Disruption and Developmental Lesson Observation.
Frances believes in the importance of providing outlets for creative expression at all ages. She feels that the HAIS programmes allow students to learn the fundamental elements of art and explore, experiment, and build on that knowledge, refining their skills as they progress from EYFS into primary, secondary and beyond.
Fun Fact: Frances loves to travel and has visited 37 countries in the last nine years. She is also an accomplished musician and plays piano and violin.

Yoann Labrue
Head of Sport, Physical Education Teacher

Yoann Labrue
Head of Sport, Physical Education Teacher
Years of Teaching Experience: 12+
Degree & Certifications: M.S. in Sports and Physical Education, M.A. in American Studies, Teaching Training and Certification Program (Physical Education), AustSwim Accreditation – Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety.
After completing his Master’s in Sports Education, Yoann spent one year in America as a teaching assistant. He then obtained a Master’s degree in American Studies. Yoann has a wide-range of experience with children in varying posts such as lifeguard, camp counsellor, coach, and most recently, as a PE teacher in Hanoi for six years. In early 2021, Yoann completed a Cambridge Assessment International Education course in Primary Physical Education.
Under the HAIS Continuing Professional Development programme, Yoann completed professional development training in Dyslexia Awareness, EAL for Classroom Teachers, the Teacher Development Program and Middle Leadership Essentials.
Yoann decided to become a PE teacher because he wanted to share his love of sports with children and encourage healthy, active lifestyles. His teaching philosophy centres around teaching students how to be physically active, not just as youth, but to provide them with the tools and knowledge to remain healthy and active throughout their lives.
Fun Fact: Yoann participated in the World Championship of Ping Pong in London in 2013; it was shown live on SkySports TV

Nguyen Thi Thuy An
Head Librarian

Nguyen Thi Thuy An
Head Librarian
Years of Teaching Experience: 2+
Degree & Certifications: Certificate of Training in Library and Information Competence; Bachelor of Tourism & Hospitality Management
After earning a Bachelors in Tourism & Hospitality Management, Thuy An realized that her passion is in education, so she has been pursuing this career and constantly improving herself. Thuy An has been working as an Assistant Librarian at HAIS for 2 years now. She loves working with students, in education and with books, which led her to this job.
Fun Fact: Thuy An loves dancing although she feels she is not really good at it. She enjoys reading and running in her spare time.