Interviewer: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your dedication to Army Training?

Teacher Manh: My name is Manh Nghia, an Army Training and Sports Club teacher at Ams. I have been working here for 12 years, time flies! The reason why I’m so attached to this subject is that teaching is my source of joy. Every time I interact with students and feel the enthusiasm, I feel overjoyed and rejuvenated (I'm afraid of getting old *laughs*).

Teacher Manh is passionate about his subject and energized by his students

Teacher Thuy: Hi, my name is Nguyen Thi Thuy. I returned to Ams and started teaching Army Training in January 2013. In 8 years of teaching with a subject that is a bit "special" which requires a high degree of organization and discipline, I find it to be quite interesting. Army Training includes not only knowledge that is very close to daily life but also contents that seemingly only movies have, but students are gradually discovering and practicing.

Interviewer: Do you have any particularly unforgettable memories while teaching?

Teacher Manh: To me, every day is a new journey; there will be many fun and unforgettable things. During the years of teaching and working here, I have many pleasant memories with my colleagues and students. Me myself as well as the students, always remember: AMS IS HOME, and cherish every moment in this place.

Teacher Thuy: There are many memories in 8 years, but the most impressive one is when teaching students about techniques of dismantling and assembling guns, and other teachers always ask for a battle over the time of gun disassembly and assembly. If an individual loses or even a colleague loses, there will be many rounds to find the winner. That shows the students’ enthusiasm, interest and determination in the subject.

Interviewer: In your view, how meaningful and significant is Army Training for the students?

Teacher Manh: Studying, building and protecting the country is the responsibility of every citizen. I feel that I can create more meaning when I contribute to sharing knowledge, inspiration, skills, and helping the future generation prepare for protecting our country.

Teacher Thuy: Every subject has a certain role and meaning for students. In Particular, Army Training has a certain meaning, role with many practical contents, providing students with realistic skills. For example, first-aid techniques equip students with knowledge and skills to use wound dressing; the content of army lineups train students’ attitudes, manners, and sense of organization in studying and other activities; the contents on the AK submachine gun, the CKC rifle and the techniques of using grenades provide students with basic understanding of weapons from which they learn how to handle them safely and cautiously…

Teacher Thuy (second one from the right) smiling brightly beside her colleagues

Interviewer: To teach the activities and cores of Army Training, which method, in your opinion, is the most effective?

Teacher Manh: I always tell my students that study goes as a pair with practice. My theories and lectures in the class need to be applied in life and in each activity. Only then will this subject really help you so that when the country needs us we are ready to be armed and fight.

Teacher Thuy: For Army Training in particular, in order to convey the meaning of the subject, there needs to be a connection between theory and practice. That is, teachers need to have real-life stories as examples attached to the content of the lesson. Those are practical experiences and are realistic lessons for students to realize the necessity of the subject.