English

"I feel proud and honoured to work at Thang Long School. I hope my students develop English skills which will help them find employment so they may have a better future." Ms Thuy - English teacher.

English is the core program at Thang Long School. Students begin learning English at around eleven or twelve and may spend four to five years at the school. The English teachers use the communicative method and encourage lots of talk between students in small groups.

Sewing

"Our target is to give the students a chance to practice well so they have much confidence to face the challenges of life and get a job after leaving school." Ms Cuc - Sewing teacher.

Students are selected for the sewing program when they are around fourteen or fifteen years of age. These are students who have arrived at a decision to pursue a vocational path, and are looking for training which will result in a job. The training students receive during the three years of this program is basic tailoring skills. Upon completion of the training, students are qualified to go to work in a tailor shop, to start their own home-based business, or to apply to a factory. When they leave Thang Long School they are confident they can earn money and provide for themselves and their family.

Hairdressing

"Working at Thang Long School is fun for me and I'm even happier when the students of my hairdressing class have jobs at a hairdresser or a beauty salon."

Miss Loan, the hairdressing teacher, is happy when her students are able to find jobs in a hair salon. One of her students recently even started her own business and has hired other students from her class. Miss Loan teachers the basic skills of curling, shaping, washing, head massage and nail care in the first year, and cutting, dying, straightening and creating hair fashions in the second year. Her students love her and her classes are always busy with fun and laughter and activity.

Art Classes

"We believe that our helping hands and sympathetic hearts will go with our students when they leave Thang Long School to go out to find their living in the world."

The art teachers realized early that many of their students were very talented. Now the teachers have come to think of themselves more as experienced older sisters who can help the students discover and develop their talents. The teachers provide a "colourful playground of art" where they teach the skills of painting and drawing and composing. They believe the skills they teach will in some way help to prepare their students for the world beyond school by developing their innate creative talents.

Computing

Children usually show their interest in computer, but poor children have little chance to use personal computer. In Thang Long School, children can join computer classes and learn how to interact with PC. They learn some basic skills in operating a computer, creating and processing text or spreadsheet documents. Moreover, children can freely enjoy games, music, photos and many utilities that come from PC programs. Some advanced students can take level A exams on applied computing which certificated by authorized offices. Having qualifications on computing is considered to be an advantage when students look for jobs.

Photography

Students are trained to take clear, meaningful photographs of people, the countryside, and cultural events. Students learn how to express messages and ideas through photographs. These skills are evaluated annually in fine art exhibitions both locally and abroad; recent exhibitions have been housed in Singapore, Germany, and Hong Kong. Products of Thang Long students have strongly contributed to the success of these exhibitions, which help raise funds for school operations.