With nearly 70 years of development, the School of Trade and International Economics at National Economics University (NEU) takes pride not only in its long-standing traditions but also in its standing as a leading, reputable educational unit. Known for its high-quality specialized education and impressive achievements, the School has consistently pioneered innovation and creativity in teaching methods to meet the demands of the times.

Moving away from the traditional teaching model, in which information flows primarily in one direction from lecturers to students, the School of Trade and International Economics has boldly introduced and promoted active learning. This model places students at the center, encouraging them to research and explore knowledge independently before class. Lecturers provide guidance, support, and advice, creating conditions for students to develop their thinking and critical reasoning skills to the fullest. This shift not only sparks enthusiasm for learning but also markedly improves students’ autonomy and their ability to absorb knowledge effectively.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hung, Chief of Office of the School of Trade and International Economics, is one of the exemplary lecturers dedicated to applying innovative teaching methods. His International Economics 2 classes with students in International Economics Class 65B vividly demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach. Here, academic knowledge is no longer dry but is brought to the stage in creative and engaging ways.

A typical class session involved more than 60 students divided into 12 presentation groups. With dedicated guidance from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hung, each group turned its presentation in each class into a “miniature stage,” where students performed creatively through plays, simulated game shows, thematic talk shows, and more. These varied and humorous formats still conveyed the course’s core content accurately and fully, while skillfully incorporating real-world issues to help students make connections and retain knowledge.

The creativity of students in International Economics Class 65B was evident in a diverse range of topics and distinctive approaches:

Group 1: Recreated the final round of “Road to Mount Olympia” to analyze the balance of payments (BOP).

Group 2: Used a story about giving lucky money during Tet as the setting for a discussion of exchange rates in Vietnam.

Group 3: Simulated the game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” to clarify the factors affecting exchange rates.

Group 4: Staged a play titled “The Exchange Rate Family Quarrel” to illustrate exchange rate fluctuations.

Group 5: Presented a humorous skit, “Pu and Chai – The Price of FOREX,” analyzing Vietnam’s foreign exchange market.

Group 6: Developed a script titled “Eating Star Fruit: Repaying in Gold or Paper Money?” to highlight the roles of gold and paper money in the international monetary system.

Group 7: Organized the talk show “COME OUT,” set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, to discuss the roles and functions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Group 8: Developed a script about the use of AI in learning to introduce international economic integration and the CPTPP agreement.

Group 9: Presented a play about the relationship among Laos, Vietnam, and the AEC to illustrate the process of regional integration.

Group 10: Created a play about “choosing a son-in-law” to explain the inevitability of integration and introduce the RCEP agreement.

Group 11: Adapted the fairy tale “Tam and Cam” to analyze the differences between traditional FTAs and new-generation FTAs (EVFTA, CPTPP).

Group 12: Used a “fortune-telling and warding off misfortune” format to analyze the impact of the ATIGA agreement on Vietnam and ASEAN.

These distinctive classes not only help students gain a deep understanding of specialized knowledge in an engaging way but also provide an ideal environment for practicing and strengthening essential soft skills, including presentation, teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, and, especially, creative thinking. By interacting with students and sometimes even joining them in “role-playing,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hung makes the classroom atmosphere even more open, lively, and inspiring.

The innovative and creative teaching methods being implemented at the School of Trade and International Economics demonstrate a profound shift in the educational thinking of the School in particular and NEU as a whole. This affirms a commitment to pursuing a modern educational philosophy that places learners at the center, encourages initiative, and nurtures creativity, equipping students with a solid foundation for entering the global labor market.

Article and photos: International Economics Class 65B

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.