Student’s Journey to Mastering English Proficiency

Huy is currently in the 12th grade, specializing in English at Tuyen Quang High School for the Gifted.

Since childhood, Huy has had a deep interest in the English language, often immersing himself in foreign cartoons and American sitcoms. He not only learns English through these shows but also practices thinking in English.

“When I encounter events or phenomena, I ask myself questions in English and practice speaking,” Huy shared. This method allows him to use English consistently across various skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and even thinking.

After achieving third place in a national English exam, he chose to challenge himself with the IELTS and SAT. With many universities now considering international certificates for admissions, Huy saw an opportunity to secure a university position through this route.

He was also curious about his own abilities, prompting him to prepare for the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test).

“I focused on studying without adding stress. Starting my prep early meant I had multiple chances to achieve the best scores,” he explained.

Despite being a novice, he impressed everyone by scoring an 8.5 out of 9 on the IELTS and achieving a remarkable 1560 out of 1600 on the SAT, placing him among the top one percent of scorers.

Huy found the Listening section the simplest. “I practiced listening from an early age and listened to English daily,” he said, which contributed to his perfect score in this area.

On the other hand, he considered Writing and Speaking to be more challenging. These sections demand strong skills in delivering clear, persuasive arguments and organizing ideas effectively. Rich vocabulary is crucial for expressing thoughts succinctly.

To excel in IELTS, Huy believes expanding one’s vocabulary and being able to quickly outline ideas are essential. Additionally, engaging with English daily—such as reading the news, watching films, and writing brief essays—can be incredibly beneficial.

In his view, the SAT poses greater challenges compared to IELTS, as it not only entails an extensive vocabulary but also tougher reading and grammar questions, with a broader knowledge base required. A robust foundation in English is necessary before diving into SAT prep.

He highlighted the section ‘words in context’ as particularly tricky, requiring a diverse vocabulary background.

“I felt most proficient when tackling math questions. Many Vietnamese students find these easier than what we cover in high school, so it plays to our strengths,” he remarked.

Huy’s main strategy for preparing for the SAT involved practicing as many exam questions as possible, particularly in the days leading up to the test. He also joined SAT discussion groups to gain insights and enhance his knowledge.

During the test, he focused on quickly addressing easier questions and avoided spending excessive time on challenging ones. If unsure, he utilized the process of elimination to boost his chances of selecting the right answers.

According to Huy, students with a strong English foundation can expedite their exam preparation, whereas those who lack proficiency need to build a solid base first.

“Start by expanding your vocabulary, then focus on grammar, and tackle reading comprehension exercises. Listening and watching English-language films can also significantly enhance your skills,” he advised.

With impressive IELTS and SAT scores, Huy is positioned well for upcoming university entrance exams. Nevertheless, he remains committed to achieving high marks in final high school assessments scheduled for July.

“Studying abroad isn’t on my agenda just yet. I intend to apply to Hanoi Foreign Trade University and several economics programs,” Huy concluded.