FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES LEARNS THE LANGUAGE OF JOURNALISM AT TUOI TRE

Used to standing at the front of the classroom teaching languages, lecturers from the Faculty of Foreign Languages at the Vietnam Aerospace University (VAA) took a seat as learners this time to study the “language” of journalists, from writing headlines and leads to taking photos with a smartphone, so the faculty can tell its story in a way that feels closer to prospective students, parents and current students. 

The training course “Communication in Admissions and Brand Building” was jointly organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper and VAA on September 24 at the Tuoi Tre office. It brought together more than 50 staff members from various offices, departments and faculties of the University, along with a number of students.

Lecturers from the Faculty of Foreign Languages receive certificates of completion at Tuoi Tre newspaper, September 24

“Translating” academic language into everyday language

The course opened with a session on writing press releases and news articles by journalist Bui Tien Dung, Director of the Tuoi Tre Training Center. According to Mr. Dung, information from universities tends to be academic and dry, so communicators need to find the story behind it and “translate” academic language into everyday language, in the spirit of 4C, “Cái Công Chúng Cần” (What the Public Needs).

For language teachers, “translating” is familiar work. In the classroom, it means carrying meaning between two languages; in communication, it means shifting from an academic voice to one that prospective students and parents can easily understand and remember.

Headlines under 20 words, no opening with dates

Lecturers were guided through the structure of a news article: answering the 5W1H (who, what, when, where, why and how), following the inverted pyramid model, keeping headlines under 20 words, and not opening the lead with dates or a list of attendees.

For language lecturers, 5W1H is a familiar tool for helping students develop ideas in writing and speaking. The difference in journalism is that the answers must be arranged by importance, with the most important information first.

Brighten, yes; erase people, no

In the session on taking and editing photos with a smartphone, MA Nguyen Quang Liem presented five criteria for a communication photo: subject, light, composition, moment and honesty.

During the hands-on practice, Dr. Ho Minh Quang, Head of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, volunteered as a model so participants could practice composition, focusing and lighting right in the classroom.

Dr. Ho Minh Quang, Head of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, poses as a model for participants practicing smartphone photography

The practice session was lively as lecturers and students took photos, edited them and wrote captions on their phones, realizing that a good communication photo depends not on the equipment but on choosing the right moment and message.

Everyone is a communications ambassador

Dr. Ho Minh Quang, Head of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, thanks Tuoi Tre newspaper on behalf of the Vietnam Aerospace University at the end of the training program

Speaking at the end of the program, Dr. Ho Minh Quang, Head of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, on behalf of the Vietnam Aerospace University, thanked Tuoi Tre newspaper and the journalists and trainers for sharing their practical experience.

“In the past, when we saw a beautiful moment, we would simply raise our phones and take a picture. But after today, before pressing the shutter, I will probably pause for a moment and ask myself: ‘What do I want this photo to say?'” Dr. Quang shared.

According to him, a communication photo needs more than beauty; it needs a message and the ability to tell a story. “Just like writing a news article, what matters is not only what we have to say, but also what the public needs and which story is truly worth telling,” he said.

At the end of the course, lecturers and students from the Faculty of Foreign Languages, together with other participants, received certificates of completion. The Vietnam Aerospace University’s decision to send participants from many units, both lecturers and students, shows that everyone can play a part in telling the University’s story.

At the end of the course, lecturers and students from the Faculty of Foreign Languages, together with other participants, received certificates of completion. The Vietnam Aerospace University’s decision to send participants from many units, both lecturers and students, shows that everyone can play a part in telling the University’s story.

Tuoi Tre – VAA cooperation: In August 2026, Tuoi Tre newspaper and the Vietnam Aerospace University signed a cooperation agreement covering education, admissions, communication and training. The September 24 training course is one of the first activities under this agreement.

Photos from the training course:

Lecturers from the Faculty of Foreign Languages pose for a souvenir photo in Tuoi Tre newspaper’s history room

Participants pose for a souvenir photo after visiting Tuoi Tre newspaper’s history room – Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre

Participants pose for a photo at the end of the training session

News: Faculty of Foreign Languages