Trường Trung học phổ thông Chuyên Ngoại ngữ, Trường Đại học Ngoại ngữ - Đại học Quốc gia Hà Nội

The implementation of Official Dispatch 955/BGDĐT-DAN on teaching other subjects in English has mounted some challenges for both teachers and students such as: consistent programs, limited English language proficiency levels of teachers and students, ineffective use of special terminologies, insufficient testing and assessment, etc. One of the proposed solutions to the above difficulties and to motivating students, as well as developing their self-study capacity in learning Physics in English, is to exploit the educational potential of smartphones. There are many applications on smartphones that support the study of Physics in English, but only few applications systematically provide the content of vocabulary, pronunciation, and a system of practice questions suitable to the 2018 general education program. The article presents the structure and usage of the CNNPHYSICS application on smartphones in teaching Physics in English for 10th grade students to support students in learning Physics in English. At the same time, the survey feedback on the effectiveness of the application in supporting English learning of Physics for students is also revealed in the paper.

Teaching Mathematics and Science in English is an inevitable trend of education in the integration period. Official Letter 955/BGDĐT-DANN clearly states that “Regarding integrating foreign languages in some other subjects, teaching other subjects (such as Mathematics and science subjects) in foreign languages: implementing /piloting the program at educational institutions that are in need and are eligible”. However, teaching natural science in English in general and Physics in English in particular has been facing some difficulties in using appropriate English vocabulary to present concepts, Asking questions, building hypotheses, conducting experiments, interpreting and clarifying the content of Physics knowledge, etc. Using English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in teaching Physics in English contributes to overcoming the above challenges, improving students’ learning efficiency. The article presents some overview of EMI and the application of EMI in teaching Physics in English at Lao Cai High School for the Gifted as well as provides descriptive statistical analysis of students' responses after school. That is the basis for considering the use of the EMI approach in teaching Physics in English in particular and natural sciences in English in general.

In the context of digital transformation, smartphones play an increasingly important role, especially in the field of education. In addition, with the trend of international integration, teaching of Natural Science subjects in English has received much attention from the State and educational institutions. However, the pilot of teaching science subjects in English in high schools has recently revealed plentiful challenges in the process of teaching and learning. This article points out that the use of smartphones to facilitate teaching Physics in English partially help students master Physics knowledge and use English in Physics learning, thereby overcoming teachers’ difficulties in teaching Physics in English. The recommendations in favour of  smartphone application in teaching are the basis for teaching natural science subjects in general in English, meeting the requirements of the current education innovation and internationalization.