HANOI: A 13-year-old student from Hanoi has achieved an impressive IELTS score of 8.5 on his very first attempt, a result he credits to early English exposure and a passion for reading programming and robotics materials in English.
Le Tuan Minh, an 8th grader at True North International School, sat for the IELTS exam on March 31, earning 8.5 in Listening, Reading, and Speaking, and 7.5 in Writing.
“I was really surprised, especially with my Writing score,” Minh said. “During practice tests, I usually scored between 6 and 7.” He shared that he took the IELTS as a personal challenge and to enhance his academic profile.
According to official IELTS data, the majority of Vietnamese test-takers are aged 16 to 22, with just 1% scoring 8.5 or above in the 2023–2024 period.
Minh began focused IELTS preparation last year, familiarizing himself with the test format and question types. He set a personal goal of achieving an overall 8.0 by the end of 8th grade and enrolled in a prep course held twice weekly. He also bought an online practice account, completing 1–3 practice tests per skill each day.
“I usually study at night after finishing my school homework,” Minh said.
Overcoming Writing Worries
Minh was initially most anxious about the Writing section, especially Task 1, which often involves analyzing data or charts. Fortunately, his test prompt asked him to describe the process of using a solar-powered water pump for drinking water purification—something he felt more comfortable with.
For Task 2, he was asked to discuss problems and suggest solutions regarding middle-aged workers competing with younger employees. Minh identified limited job availability as the key issue, and proposed that technological advancements, such as AI, could generate new roles that appeal to younger workers, helping to rebalance the job market.
His background in tech-related topics helped him come up with relevant ideas quickly. Despite initial nerves, Minh planned his essay carefully and structured his arguments.
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Reading and Speaking Strengths
Minh found Matching Headings the most challenging part of the Reading section due to the similarity of options, but tackled them by analyzing each paragraph’s topic sentence, supporting details, and conclusion.
He felt confident in both the Listening and Speaking sections, thanks to his English-speaking environment at school.
Early Language Exposure at Home
Minh attributes his strong English foundation to early exposure at home. His mother, Man Thi Minh Phuong, said he began watching cartoons in English at the age of three or four.
“I believe that if a child can hear something, they can speak it; if they can read it, they can write it,” she explained. “I let Minh listen to and read content he enjoyed, so he absorbed English naturally.”
From grades 1 to 4, Minh attended a public school while taking weekly English classes. At home, he focused on listening. On weekends, his mother brought him to Hoan Kiem Lake to practice speaking with foreign tourists. He also read extensively in English, especially topics related to coding and robotics.
To measure progress, Minh took Cambridge exams and occasionally enrolled in short courses targeting specific skills. By the end of primary school, he had earned scholarships to several international schools.
Minh now plans to retake the IELTS next year, hoping to maintain his 8.5 score to boost his future university applications.
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