How can you read English more efficiently and write more naturally without struggling through every sentence? This is a question many students find themselves asking. With that in mind, UEH English Zone organized a Language Workshop: “Stop Translating! Powerful Strategies to Read and Write in English” at Campus N, equipping students with practical strategies to improve their English reading and writing skills.
Begin with English learners’ ‘familiar’ challenges
Ms. Khoa immediately created a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere from the first couple minutes. Each participant received a handout – a handy “cheat sheet” to follow along throughout the workshop and take note of key strategies.
To kick things off, Ms. Khoa guided students through a reflection on the common challenges they face when learning English: from not knowing where to start when reading, to feeling stuck every time they need to write a complete paragraph. Many students nodded in recognition – these were struggles they dealt with every day.
4 Practical Strategies for Better Reading and Writing
Building on these shared challenges, Ms. Khoa introduced 4 powerful strategies, presented in a clear and easy-to-apply way:
1. Read in Chunks – Instead of reading word by word, group words together by meaning. This helps the brain process information faster and grasp meaning more naturally.
2. Read for Meaning – Look for the big idea first, then move into the details. Having the overall picture makes reading comprehension smoother and more focused.
3. Write Without Translating – Build simple responses using useful English patterns rather than converting thoughts from Vietnamese. Writing simply but correctly is always better than writing in a complex but error-prone way.
4. Learn Vocabulary for Use – Instead of memorizing long word lists, guess the meaning of words from context and collocation. Learning vocabulary in real contexts helps the brain retain it longer and use it more accurately.
One of the highlights of the workshop was the hands-on practice integrated throughout. After each strategy, students immediately put it into action. Ms. Khoa walked around to each table, listening, exchanging ideas, and giving personalized feedback – creating a supportive and pressure-free learning environment. The room buzzed with discussion, laughter, and the energy of genuine learning.
“Start with What You Love”
To close the session, Ms. Khoa left students with one final, heartfelt tip: start reading and watching content on topics you genuinely enjoy whether that’s football, music, films, or fashion. When learning stems from passion, motivation comes naturally, and daily exposure to English gradually becomes a habit rather than a chore.
With the dedicated guidance of MA. Nguyen Yen Khoa, the Language Workshop “Stop Translating! Powerful Strategies to Read and Write in English” took place in an atmosphere full of warmth, energy, and inspiration. It was undoubtedly one of the most memorable activities of UEH English Zone – a place where students not only sharpen their language skills but also gain practical tools and ways of thinking that will serve them well in both their academic journey and future careers.
As part of the UEH English Zone project, the Language Workshop is a regular activity organized monthly with many practical topics to help learners and staff enhance their English abilities. Information about the language workshop and upcoming activities will be regularly updated on the UEH English Zone Fanpage. Follow and stay tuned to get updates and register for upcoming programs!
Pillars: Training
News, photos: Department of Student Affairs