From English Fear to Motivation: HSU’s First-year Students Embrace the Challenge
Held on the morning of September 8, 2026, the English workshop for the 2026 cohort, themed “Unlocking the Secrets to Mastering English in the Digital Age”, gave students an exciting start to the Welcome Week for first-year students in the 2026 – 2027 academic year. From hesitation to confidence, students explored new ways to make English learning more active, engaging, and relevant, taking their first steps toward a more confident and effective learning journey at HSU.
From English Fear to Confidence
For many new students, English can come with a familiar feeling of hesitation. However, with the right approach, that hesitation can become confidence, and confidence can open the door to countless opportunities. Recognizing English as an important tool for learning, cross-cultural exchange, and career development, Hoa Sen University (HSU) brought together the Student Center, the Institute of English and International Integration (iEII), and the Faculty of Languages and Psychology to organize the workshop “Unlocking the Secrets to Mastering English in the Digital Age” on September 8, 2026.
As part of the Welcome Week for the 2026 cohort, the workshop gave first-year students an engaging start to their university journey, encouraging them to use English more actively and confidently.
Every English learner has faced moments of hesitation, whether searching for a forgotten word, worrying about pronunciation, losing track of a listening exercise, or holding back from speaking. Rather than allowing these moments to become barriers, the workshop encouraged new students to embrace them as part of the learning journey. Furthermore, through interactive activities, music-based listening practice, and practical applications of technology and AI, students explored how English can become a more accessible and engaging part of everyday learning.
Practical English Learning and Application
Guiding the 2026 cohort throughout the workshop were Mr. Nguyen Minh Tri, MA, Director of the HSU English Language Studies Program; Mr. Vo Hoang Khiem, MA, Lecturer at iEII; and Ms. Bui Ngoc Que Anh, MA, Lecturer at iEII.
The workshop also brought the 2026 cohort into the spotlight, with Mr. Le Tuan Hung, first-year Logistics and Supply Chain Management student, and Ms. Ho Quynh Lam, first-year Psychology student, serving as MCs. Their active participation helped create a friendly and approachable atmosphere, encouraging fellow students to connect, engage in the activities, and feel more comfortable sharing their stories.
At HSU, mastering English does not mean waiting until you can speak perfectly before you start. Through the workshop, new students were encouraged to take the first step, put their knowledge into practice, experiment without fear of mistakes, and gradually turn what they learn into skills for learning, communication, and everyday life.
Embarking on the HSU Integration Journey
Beyond the learning content, the workshop also created opportunities for interaction and connection through engaging minigames centered around the theme, “We, the students of the 2026 cohort, are integrating with HSU”. After that, small gifts were awarded to the winning participants, wrapping up an energetic morning and building excitement for the official start of HSU’s Welcome Week for the 2026 – 2027 academic year.
Every journey begins with a first step. For HSU students, that step can be as simple as learning actively, connecting with others, and using English to explore what lies beyond the familiar.
At HSU, integration is built through personal experiences, meaningful connections, and the courage to embrace new opportunities. For the 2026 cohort, proactively mastering English is one of the first steps toward becoming more confident and expanding their world.
Translated: Tai Do
