Why BIS Students Plateau in English in HCMC
April 6, 2026
Why Some BIS Students Plateau in English After a Few Years
At first, progress is fast.
Then… it slows down.
This plateau is common in international school English in Vietnam.
Early Success Can Be Misleading
Many students:
- learn basic English quickly
- become conversational
But deeper skills take longer.
Where Progress Slows
Around ages 7–11, students need:
- stronger reading comprehension
- more advanced writing
- academic vocabulary
Without foundations, progress stalls.
The Root Cause
Often, it comes back to:
- weak phonics
- guessing instead of decoding
- limited reading practice
What Breaks the Plateau
Students need to:
- rebuild foundations
- strengthen literacy
- practice structured writing
How Spark Helps Students Move Forward
At Spark English Center Vietnam, students:
- revisit foundational skills properly
- transition into academic English
- follow a clear pathway toward IELTS
With:
- small classes
- structured learning
- long-term development
Progress becomes steady again.
FAQs
Is plateau normal?
Yes—but it can be addressed.
Why does it happen?
Foundational gaps.
Can older students still improve?
Absolutely.
Is more exposure enough?
Usually not.
What’s the solution?
Structured learning.
If your child’s progress has slowed, it’s worth understanding why.
At Spark English Center Vietnam, the free assessment identifies:
foundational gaps
reading and writing levels
👉 Book your free assessment here:
https://www.sparkvn.com/Assessment
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