This article introduces the 60 year development process of the Vietnamese major at Beijing Foreign Studies University. From its inception in 1965 to the present day in the 21st century, the Vietnamese major has undergone multiple reforms and developments, achieving significant achievements. The Vietnamese speakers of Beijing Foreign Studies University have never forgotten their original aspirations, persevered, and kept the old and new school mottos in mind, composing a glorious chapter in history. In the context of globalization, the importance of non lingua franca majors has become increasingly prominent, and Vietnamese language majors are facing new opportunities and challenges. We need to review the past, summarize experience, and dare to look forward to the future and meet challenges.

At the beginning of the first blue thread of the road

A detailed review of the development process of the Vietnamese major at Beijing Foreign Studies University from its establishment in 1965 to the present day. In 1965, in response to changes in the situation in Vietnam and the development of Sino Vietnamese relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructed the Department of Oriental and African Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University to offer a Vietnamese language major, with the first batch of 35 students admitted. Founder Zhang Di'an started from scratch, formed a teaching and research group, wrote textbooks, and adopted the "listening and speaking leading" teaching method. Vietnamese language teachers and students persisted in their studies during the "May 7th" vocational school in Shayang, Hubei, and accumulated valuable experience. After Nixon's visit to China in 1972, the number of Vietnamese language students surged, becoming the largest major in the Asia Africa department. The 1965 Vietnamese class students interned at Guilin Nanxi Mountain Hospital, providing services and translation for Vietnamese patients and practicing the "three member" requirement. The team of Vietnamese language teachers continues to grow, with a transition from old to new, contributing to the development of the profession. The Vietnamese language major has emerged from scratch, worked hard, and embarked on a distinctive development path.

2. The development period of the dark and bright

In the 1980s, the Vietnamese major at Beijing Foreign Studies University resumed enrollment and implemented a five-year program, with the first two years studying English and the last three years studying Vietnamese. Despite the scarcity of teaching materials, after more than a decade of effort, the course content has become very rich, including phonetics, listening, history, literature, and more. Difficulty in listening practice, the department purchased shortwave radios for everyone to listen to Vietnamese broadcasts. The Vietnamese major at Beijing Foreign Studies University extends learning activities outside of school, such as inviting Vietnamese teachers from Australia to teach and participating in the reception of the Vietnamese sports delegation at the Beijing Asian Games. The class has an English corner and a Vietnamese corner for students to exchange ideas with each other. Although the teaching conditions are difficult, the school has rich cultural and recreational activities, such as school sports games, inspections, photography competitions, etc. After the normalization of Sino Vietnamese relations in 1991, most graduates of the Vietnamese language program at Beijing Foreign Studies University were engaged in jobs related to Vietnam, contributing to the development of Sino Vietnamese relations. The revolutionary spirit carried by the Vietnamese language profession has been passed down from generation to generation and remains unchanged.

3. In the rising period

In the 1990s, the Vietnamese language program at Beijing Foreign Studies University resumed four-year teaching, and students began their professional studies from the moment they enrolled. 92 graduates mostly work in Vietnam, while Cao Ting stays on campus to teach. There are a total of 18 students in Grade 96, with Wang Jia and Zhong Shan staying on campus until now. Qin Sainan, Cheng Lulu, and Cao Ting were the main teachers at that time. Huang Laisu, Wen Zhuang, and others retired, while Zhao Longsheng and Jin Xiaoming were transferred. Qin Sainan is known for his kindness and responsibility, and is deeply loved by students. He has made great contributions to the teaching of Vietnamese language and literature, compiling four books of "Modern Vietnamese". Old professors such as Wen Zhuang and Zhang Di'an occasionally provide academic guidance. The teaching mainly focuses on skill based courses, with fewer knowledge-based courses and a lack of learning materials. Students learn through channels such as radio and Vietnamese international students. Wang Jia and Zhong Shan stayed at the school to teach in 2000, and later went to Vietnam to pursue master's degrees respectively. Beijing Foreign Studies University was the first school in the country to send teachers abroad for further studies. After completing her studies, she continued to teach. Wang Jia pursued a doctoral degree, while Zhong Shan stayed in China to pursue a doctoral degree. There is a shortage of Vietnamese language teachers, mainly Wang Jia and Zhong Shan, and external Vietnamese experts are hired. The school attaches great importance to the cultivation of young teachers, and both Wang Jia and Zhong Shan have obtained doctoral degrees. Students have a passion for their majors and tend to work in related fields after graduation, with a high degree of integration with their majors.

4 Long Winds Breaking Waves Towards the Future

It tells the 60 year development process of the Vietnamese major at Beijing Foreign Studies University. Teacher Shao Zhushuai recalled his learning experience at Beijing Foreign Studies University, including volunteering for the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, practicing military training for freshmen, and participating in the military parade celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. These activities make students feel the mission they shoulder and enhance their sense of identification with the foreign language major. With the support of the school, the Vietnamese language major has organized a series of Vietnamese research lectures and practical teaching activities, which have improved students' professional abilities and perspectives. Vietnamese language majors also have the opportunity to apply for study abroad scholarships to study in Vietnam, which not only enhances their professional skills but also leaves behind beautiful memories. Vietnamese language graduates enjoy a good reputation in the industry and have participated in several youth friendly meetings between China and Vietnam, serving as translators and improving their foreign language proficiency and social skills. In 2015, Vietnamese language teachers and students were received by the General Secretaries of the two countries, which further strengthened their determination to become a bridge of friendship between China and Vietnam. Teacher Shao emphasized that learning a foreign language not only requires improving language proficiency, but also a deep understanding of the society and culture of the target country, telling Chinese stories in a way that the other party can understand, and promoting the dissemination of Chinese culture.

5 Conclusion

The Vietnamese Language Program at Beijing Foreign Studies University has partnered with Hanoi National University to establish a Vietnamese Studies Center, which hosts lectures and workshops to promote academic exchange. Organize professional student activities and strengthen cooperation with universities in the capital. Diversify the teaching staff, achieve a full doctoral teaching team, reform the teaching syllabus, and add cultural courses. Professional training of high-level Vietnamese talents and encouragement of personalized development for students. Since its establishment in 1965, it has trained multiple generations of students. In 2020, it began admitting master's students, and in 2022, the undergraduate enrollment cycle was shortened, enriching the training structure. In the future, we will continue to cultivate friendly talents between China and Vietnam. Beijing Foreign Studies University will respond to the call of the country, promote China to go global, and inherit the red genes.