Courses in Beginner Vietnamese

Beginner Vietnamese I (VIET0100)

This course is the first half of our year-long introduction to Vietnamese, offered solely in the fall semester and designed for absolute beginners or those with minimal prior knowledge. It focuses on building a solid foundation in pronunciation and grammar, helping you gain confidence in everyday communication. You’ll develop skills in speaking, listening, writing, and reading, while exploring Vietnamese culture through authentic conversations, presentations, and extensive practice.

Schedule

Days: Monday to Friday (MTWTF)
Time: 10:00AM – 10:50AM EST

Syllabus

The class syllabus will be distributed towards the first day of class.

Learn More

Interested in the course? Check out Banner for registration details.

Course Contents

01. Meeting People

02. Personal Information

03. Daily Routines

04. Academic Life

05. Hobbies and Pastimes

06. Family and Relatives

07. Physical Appearance

08. Character Traits

Check out a couple of our language tables!

Language tables are a fun and interactive way for students to learn more about a specific aspect of Vietnamese culture! They usually occur every week, so keep an eye out!

Read more about vietnamese coffee Here!

Read more about the mid-autumn festival Here!

Read more about lunar new year here!

Read more about overseas vietnamese people here!

Beginner Vietnamese II (VIET0200)

This course (VIET0200) is the second half of our year-long introduction to Vietnamese, offered solely in the spring semester and designed to refine the skills you developed in VIET0100. It reinforces your foundation in pronunciation and grammar, boosting your confidence in everyday conversations. You’ll expand your knowledge of the Vietnamese language and culture and express your ideas more naturally with idioms, proverbs, and more advanced grammar structures.

Schedule

Days: Monday to Friday (MTWTF)
Time: 10:00AM – 10:50AM EST

Syllabus

The class syllabus will be distributed towards the first day of class.

Learn More

Interested in the course? Check out Banner for registration details.

Course Contents

09. Student Belongings

10. Shopping

11. Weather and Holidays

12. Phone Calls

13. Food and Restaurant

14. Houses

15. Transportation

Placement Test

Need to determine your level before starting a Vietnamese course? Take our placement test to ensure you’re placed in the right class for your skills. This test helps us match you with the course that best fits your current proficiency. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Cô Trang at trang_tran@brown.edu.

To learn more about the steps of our placement test, visit the Placement Test section in the East Asian Website.

Academic Support

Language Table

Casual practice with peers, exploring grammar and culture beyond the classroom.

Office Hours

1-on-1 support with your professor for clarification and deeper understanding.

TA Hours

Additional practice and support from Teaching Assistants to reinforce class material in a smaller setting.