Our Unit 871 Instructor, Caleb, details the dedication and growth of a Lieutenant in Lana’s English Language Training Program.
Some students enter Lana’s English Language Training (ELT) program in Hanoi with a good grasp of English. For them, improving their skills is a natural and easy process. Others, however, start at a much lower level and need significant effort to achieve similar progress. In Class Alpha, few match the dedication and growth of Lt. Duc. His methodical, persistent approach, paired with a positive attitude, sets a high standard. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with him and learned about his background and future aspirations.
Lieutenant Duc’s Journey
Lt. Duc grew up in Nghe An province. He described his hometown as a small city near a forest, not far from the sea. He said the town had an old-fashioned feel, partly due to its 4,000-year history. It’s also historically significant as the home of a temple dedicated to King An Duong of Vietnam.
Since high school, Lt. Duc showed a strong interest in technical studies. He considered studying medicine or engineering but found that his test scores didn’t quite meet the requirements for medical school. However, they were enough to enter an engineering program, so he chose to study aircraft engineering at the Air Defense Academy in 2018. “The schedule was very demanding,” he said. “I had to study in class, do military training, and follow strict rules.” Additionally, he had to learn some Russian, as most aircraft in Vietnam are of Russian origin.
After completing his studies at the Air Defense Academy, Lt. Duc joined an airbase near Hanoi as part of an aircraft technician team. His airbase has received 3 to 5 slots in the ALC program at Base 871 each year, so he applied and qualified for a place in this cohort.
Lt. Duc shared his thoughts on the ALC program at Base 871. Overall, he enjoyed the course and found the topics practical and useful. He felt that working with a native speaker was invaluable. “The pronunciation practice helps me learn how to form the correct sounds,” he said. He also appreciated how the books introduced new information while reviewing older topics for reinforcement. The program’s biweekly book quizzes, he said, were beneficial as they offered regular assessments of his progress. Speaking, however, was one of his biggest challenges. Producing clear language spontaneously proved difficult, even with his extensive English study in written form. Despite this, he practices speaking with other students whenever possible.
Lieutenant Duc’s Future
Looking ahead, he plans to return to his airbase and continue with aircraft engineering. Over the next few years, he hopes to take more English courses, potentially an IELTS course, to broaden his understanding of engineering materials. Long term, he sees himself staying in the Air Force, as he enjoys the work and the opportunities it offers for ongoing training.
As his instructor, I can attest to Lt. Duc’s diligence. He practices consistently during breaks, improving his pronunciation in real time. He’s always the first to class, takes detailed notes, and asks insightful questions. Though his English started among the lowest in the class, his quiz scores now rank among the highest. His feedback on the program also surprised me. He finds the ALC program far superior to other English courses, attributing this to the quality of the teachers and the unique exposure to American culture he wouldn’t get elsewhere.