Discuss the similarities and differences between education after leaving school in Viet Nam and in the UK

Similarities:

• Both countries offer vocational education as an alternative to traditional academic education after secondary school.
• In both countries, students can continue their education after secondary school to obtain a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or a doctorate.
• In both countries, grades are important for further education, with students needing to achieve good grades to progress to higher levels of education.

Differences:

• In Vietnam, there is a strong emphasis on academic education, with vocational education being seen as a secondary option. In contrast, vocational education is given more importance in the UK and is often referred to as career education or technical education.
• In the UK, students have the option of attending sixth-form colleges or staying at their secondary schools for two more years to study subjects they are interested in or subjects related to higher education. Such an option is not available in Vietnam.
• The education system in Vietnam is heavily influenced by the government and is more centralized, while the UK education system is more decentralized and allows for greater autonomy in decision-making by schools and teachers.
• The length of time spent in university in Vietnam is longer compared to the UK. In Vietnam, a bachelor's degree can take up to five years to complete, while in the UK, it takes three years.

These are just a few examples of the similarities and differences between the education systems in Vietnam and the UK. Students in the group discussion can explore these points in more detail and also add their own observations and experiences to the discussion.