Level I

Chapter 6
Reading

English | Vietnamese Section

English | Vietnamese
IC3, IT, TOEFL, Best Answer
Self- and Teacher Evaluation

Topic: Đổi mới and Renovation: Command Economoy to Market Economy
Công cuộc đổi mới

Guiding Question
What are the priorities of a developing country in its course of renovation?

Câu hỏi hướng dẫn:
Các nước đang phát triển phải ưu tiên những gì trong công cuộc đổi mới của mình?

Skills:

 In this chapter you will do these things:

English Language Skills:

• Glossary for economic terms
• Skills to read for comprehension
• Note taking with outlines: recognizing reading structure
• Improving reading speed practice

Vietnamese Language Skills:

• Reading Market Conversations
• Exclamations

English Language Lesson

Back to Top

  Introductory Motivation and Focus: Reading and/or activity for motivation:

Read the short passage below that gives a short summary of Vietnam’s transition from a Command Economy to Đổi mới:

Vietnam Economy

In recent years, Viet Nam has become known to the world for its successful " Đổi mới " (renovation) policy. The country's initial important achievements are attributed to its great effort in overcoming difficulties and challenges.

After regaining independence in 2 September 1945, the country experienced 30 years of wars of resistance until the complete national reunification in 1975. Vietnam has emerged from then on, new opportunities for socio-economic development. However, in the period before 1985 the country was thrown into a serious economic crisis due to its low starting point, devastating war consequences and mistakes in economic management and the existence over a long time of a centrally planned economy based on state subsidies.

In such a context, Vietnam in December 1986 mapped out a comprehensive " Đổi mới " policy which focused mainly on doing away with centralized bureaucratic economic mechanism based on state subsidies, building market economy and developing a socialism-oriented multi-sectoral economy under State management

After 15 years of " Đổi mới " the socio-economic situation in Viet Nam has experienced fundamental changes. Great social progress has been seen but there still exist quite a few difficulties. (Source: http://www.usfca.edu/law/globaljustice/intranet/vn-economy.html)

Look over this and the vocabulary, then go to the activity after the vocabulary.

Changing from this . . . Characteristics of the Command Economy Central planning No private enterprise Total control by the government (prices, money, interest, and exchange rates) Agriculture “collectivized” Trade chiefly with fellow communist countries Strict price and wage controls Belief that all work is for the good of the state and the shared needs of the people

to this . . . The Goal of Đổi Mới : Move to a Market Economy, but Maintain Communist Party Control Relax government control Seek links with other countries Encourage foreign investment Allow competition Abandon price controls and seek a free market Allow employment of workers Encourage new business and development Seek international trade relations

(Source: http://search.epnet. Com;direct.asp?an=9505101696&db=aph)

Vocabulary Words & Exercises:

Glossary of Economic Terms: the following is a glossary of terms related to the transformation of the Vietnamese Economy (Source: http://search.epnet. Com;direct.asp?an=9505101696&db=aph)

A Command Economy	relies on government officials known as central planners to determine what products to produce, how the products will be produced, and who will receive the products once they are produced. Individuals in a command economy have little or no say in economic decisions.
Foreign Investment	means that a government and businesses from other countries put money into a country’s economy. The aim is to satisfy both parties by providing money for one economy or business to buy, for example, machinery and by providing the investors with future profits once the economy or business is successful.
International Trade	is voluntary exchange of goods and services between people of different nations.
Private Enterprise	means that individuals are free to operate in the market place selling the goods or services they produce for individual gain.
Private Profit	is the amount of money that remains after all costs of production have been paid. In market economies, the profit is largely kept by the owner or stockholders of the business.
Wage and Price Controls	are government measures that set limits on increases in wages and prices. The aim is for central control of the economy by the government.
The Market Economy	relies on individuals, rather than the government, to own and control elements of production. In general, people are free to buy, sell, and produce whatever they wish and work wherever they want. The only control is provided by the market itself.
Agriculture Collectivization	is a policy by which all land is taken from individuals and given to the state to create large, stat-run farms. Individual farmers are not free to sell their produce but rather give it to the state for distribution among the people.
Business Development Encouraged	means that governments seek to find ways to encourage people to open new businesses. Governments are able to encourage this by giving tax breaks or by providing financial support.
Competition	is economic rivalry that exists among businesses selling similar products.
Embargo	is a law that cuts off exports or imports to specific countries. It stops the flow of international trade.

Activity:

In groups of 5 or 6 people, complete the chart below:

Since 1986 and the beginning of Đổi mới, mark each category as having changed or not changed life in Vietnam. Then use the space provided to explain how each category has been changed or not changed.

	changed	no change	Notes
Education
Agricultural Sustainability
Health
Labor Force
Population
Ethnic Minorities
Gap Between Rich and Poor
Infrastructure
Culture and Religion
Imports & Exports
Ecology
Vietnam ’s Living Standards
International Policy
Enterprise & Private Investment
Cities
Countryside
Perception of the Future
Youth
The Elderly
Other Changes

1. Of these categories, which changes do you think greatly benefit Vietnam?
2. Which categories have been more difficult for the country to work with?
3. Which categories should remain the same?
4. Which categories are most important and should receive greater attention?

Explanation of Reading Study Skill A (Academic Reading Skill):

Reading for Comprehension

Thus far, we have been learning to skim and scan a reading to better prepare oneself for reading and understanding. We have discussed the importance of finding the main idea and purpose of author. And we have learned to be an active reader by bringing questions, information and experience to a reading. After having done all these things, then we must read for comprehension—we must read and understand what the author has written about.

When reading for comprehension, one makes mental and written notes of important parts.

1. If you have questions to answer after the reading, read them before you start to read.
2. As you read, write down important main ideas and vocabulary. This will help you later when you review what you have read.
3. Stop and reread ideas that you are not sure you understand.
4. Think about other resources you may use that has more information on the same topic.
5. Recall what you have just read—stop occasionally as you are reading to put it into your own words.
6. When you have finished reading, remind yourself of what the main points were.
7. Discuss what you have read with other students or with your teacher. This will help you clarify your thinking.

Exercises and Activities for Skill A:

In Chapter 5, we stated that a good reader does the following:

• Gets the main ideas
• Actively reads; not passively reads
• Thinks: for what purpose is this written?
• Finds meaning in context: expands vocabulary through reading
• Applies what is being read to personal experience
• Increases reading speed
• Scans for specific information

Before you read, think about:

• What do I know about this subject?
• What do I want to learn about this subject?
• Skim the reading for the main idea, the support, and the conclusion
• What vocabulary is useful to this reading?

Now we will add the reading comprehension component to our list:

• As I read, I write down important ideas and vocabulary
• Reread parts that are difficult to understand—look up other resources as needed
• Think--put what you are reading into your own words—look for answers to questions and answers to your own questions
• Recall the main points when you have finished reading
• Discuss to clarify your thinking

Now apply all these skills to the following reading:

Reading :

An Giang University Trains Agricultural Businessmen

By Dr. Vo Tong Xuan
Professor and Dr. Vo Tong Xuan
explains why it is necessary to have agricultural business and training of agricultural businessmen.

The training of businessmen in agriculture has become a priority. This is to help farmers avoid suffering losses in the market economy, and especially when Vietnam is performing its comprehensive reform in agriculture in preparation for tough competition when the economy integrates in the region and the world. This is also to increase the output, effectiveness and competitiveness of farm-produce for each household, each co-operative, farm and enterprise.

In recent years, agricultural production in Vietnam--and the Mekong Delta in particular—has seen fast development. However, both enterprises and farmers are still suffering losses during the transitional period to the market economy.

In the last few years, small and medium-sized farms have mushroomed together with the establishment of many agricultural co-operatives and processing establishments. As a result, there have been more and more businessmen who play an important role in promoting the sale of farm-produce and providing financial support for farmers, especially poor ones.

Developed countries and even countries in the region have focused on training businessmen for agriculture. Most universities in these countries have set up departments of agri-business to meet the requirements of the development of agriculture.

The University of An Giang is striving to develop agri-business to train experts with good knowledge of economics, agricultural production and service management.

In the first two years, the university used documents and professional literature of foreign universities. Especially, it received support from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics. Lecturers at the universities are developing study programs for its students, helping them familiarize themselves with food production lines. With the support of the People’s Committee of An Giang Province, the university provides scholarships for 130 students. The university is proposing other localities to provide support for their students to practice at co-operatives and enterprises.

The sending of students to co-operatives and enterprises for practical work has brought benefits to both sides. For students, they will have an opportunity to put what they learn at the university into practice while co-operatives and enterprises can get support from the university to overcome their difficulties in production.

With knowledge and practice, agricultural businessmen will be able to act as a bridge linking farmers to enterprises in a more effective way, bringing more benefits to both farmers and enterprises.

www.nhandan.org.vn/english/2004130/bai-social3.html

Exercises and Activities for Skill A:

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the main idea of the reading?
2. Who wrote the reading and why do you think he wrote this piece?
3. Describe the relationship between farmers and business.
4. What is the difference between agricultural businessmen and ordinary businessmen?
5. What is the role of An Giang University? How does it develop a program in agricultural business?
6. Does this reading have any effect on your life? Why or why not?
7. Dr. Xuan’s concluding statement equates agricultural businessmen as “bridges linking farmers to enterprises.” Did this not exist before and does it bring change to how farming was done in the past?
8. This reading is in a chapter about Đổi mới. How does this reading relate to Đổi mới?

Explanation of Reading Study Skill B:

Note Taking With Outlines: Recognizing Reading Structure

In Level One of the IC3 Curriculum, students have been introduced to Western structures of writing and lecture presentations. In those chapters, the outline style of note taking has been presented knowing that Western academic-style reading/writing and speaking presentations follow similar patterns. Therefore, it makes sense that notes students take from readings can usually follow an outline format:

Reading Outline   Date: Title of Lecture: I. Introduction (the main idea of the lecture) A. Support Example/Detail Example/Detail Example/Detail B. Support: 1. Example/Detail a. elaborate example/detail b. elaborate example/detail c. elaborate example/detail 2. Example/Detail 3. Example/Detail C. Support: 1. Example/Detail 2. Example/Detail 3. Example/Detail II. Conclusion:

Exercises and Activities for Reading Study Skill B:

Outline the Reading: Dr. Vo Tong Xuan’s reading passage above can be written in an outline form. This could be a note taking method for readings in your future. Complete the outline below:

Reading Outline   Date: Title of Lecture: An Giang University Trains Agricultural Businessmen I. Introduction (the main idea of the lecture): Training of Agricultural Businessmen has become a priority. A. Support: To help farmers avoid losses in the market economy 1. Example/Detail: transitional phase ( Đ ổ i m ớ i ) a. elaborate example/detail: fast development in agriculture b. elaborate example/detail: tough competition in region & world B. Support: businessmen play an important role 1. Example/Detail: promoting sale of farm-produce 2. Example/Detail: _________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ C. Support: developed countries have focused on training D. Support: An Giang University is striving to develop a training program with knowledge of: 1. Example/Detail: economics 2. Example/Detail: _________________________________________ 3. Example/ Detail: _________________________________________ E. Support: things AGU has done to develop the program 1. Example/Detail: _________________________________________ 2. Example/Detail: _________________________________________ 3. Example/ Detail: _________________________________________ 4. Example/ Detail:_________________________________________ II. Conclusion: _________________________________________________________

Exercises and Practice of Past Reading Skills:

Improving Reading Speed: Left-to-Right Eye Movements: Increasing the left-to-right eye movement can improve the speed of your reading. This can be accomplished with practice.

Look at the words below . Time yourself. In the left column are words in bold print. Quickly scan across the row from left to right and circle the word or highlight the one that matches the word found in the first column. The first one is done for you. At the end of the section, write down your time (the number of seconds it took you to finish).

1. command	commit	commanded	command	comrade
2. market	markets	market	marketed	marketing
3. private	private	primate	privacy	privates
4. enterprise	enterprises	enterprising	entrepreneur	enterprise
5. profit	profits	profit	prophet	profess
6. wage	waged	wade	wages	wage
7. controls	contras	controls	control	controlled
8. price	prize	pierce	prices	price
9. economy	economical	economy	economies	ecology
10. economics	economical	economy	economics	economies

Time _____________

1. embargo	embroiled	embargoes	embargo	embargoed
2. agriculture	agriculture	agricultural	agri-business	agricultures
3. labor	labor	labored	laborious	labors
4. sustainable	sustainability	sustained	sustenance	sustainable
5. ethnic	ethnics	ether	antic	ethnic
6. minority	minorities	minors	monopoly	minority
7. population	popular	populate	population	pop-culture
8. gap	gape	grab	gap	gaps
9. rich	rich	rice	rush	riches
10. poor	poorer	poor	roper	poorest

Time _____________

infrastructure	infuriate	infraction	infrastructure	infrastructures
2. culture	culture	cultural	clutch	cultures
3. religion	religiosity	religion	religious	region
4. ecology	ecological	ecologies	ecology	economy
5. standards	stranded	standard	stander	standards
6. policy	policy	police	politely	publicly
7. investment	investments	investigate	invisible	investment
8. youth	youths	youth	south	young
9. elderly	elder	elders	elderberry	elderly
10.countryside	courtside	county side	courtesy	countryside

Time _____________

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