Not every student begins their journey with confidence. Few would expect that a once shy student like Dang Thi Lan Phuong (11S1) would develop a strong passion for debating—a field that demands confidence and the ability to defend viewpoints in front of an audience. Yet it is precisely this passion that has helped Phuong gradually discover herself, build her own learning approach, and find a clear development pathway at Hanoi Adelaide School.
From a Shy Student to a Serious Pursuit of Debate
“I saw older students who were very confident and willing to express their thoughts. At that moment, I thought: I want to be like that too.”
For Lan Phuong, her journey into debating began with simple curiosity after watching a student program on television. From that initial thought, she decided to try debating, despite her hesitation. Her early experiences were not easy, but they helped her gradually recognize her strengths and change the way she viewed learning and personal growth.
Phuong once participated in a televised debate competition and ranked in the Top 34 out of 300 teams. Although she did not reach the final round, the experience became a turning point, helping her clearly identify her passion and direction.
“Through that experience, I realized that I truly want to pursue debating more seriously.”
Building a Mindset: From “Being Right” to “Deep Understanding and Persuasion”
Rather than following a fixed path from the beginning, Lan Phuong chose to improve step by step through experience, trial and error, and continuous adjustment. Each competition and every unmet expectation became an opportunity for self-reflection.
One of her greatest strengths is her ability to dig deeply into issues. She does not stop at determining whether an argument is right or wrong, but instead asks questions about the context, causes, and impacts behind each issue. This habit has helped her develop multidimensional thinking—an essential element in debating.
However, she also candidly acknowledges an area for improvement: communication. With layered thinking, expressing ideas clearly and effectively can be challenging.
“There are times when my thoughts are quite layered, but I can’t express them clearly enough. So I’m focusing on improving how I communicate more coherently.”
The most significant change in her journey is not the number of awards she has won, but how she approaches debating. Instead of focusing solely on right and wrong, she now emphasizes helping others understand and believe in her arguments.
“I realized that debating is not just about being right, but about how you make others understand and trust what you say.”
This shift has become the foundation for her noticeable progress.
When Debate Becomes Part of a Learning Method
Debating has evolved beyond an extracurricular activity or simple passion—it has become an integral part of how Lan Phuong learns every day. Instead of passively memorizing knowledge, she actively seeks to understand the core of each issue, asking “why” and “what does it mean?”
This habit allows her to learn more deeply, especially in subjects within the bilingual program such as Economics, which require analytical thinking and multiple perspectives.
“I no longer study by memorizing; I try to understand the essence of each problem.”
Her argumentative skills from debating also directly support her writing and presentation abilities, helping her develop a more structured and systematic approach to learning.
Balancing Study and Passion Through Personalization
One highlight of Lan Phuong’s journey is her ability to balance academic study with her passion. However, this balance does not come from trying to do everything at once, but from actively setting priorities at each stage.
“I don’t try to do everything perfectly at the same time. What matters is knowing what to focus on at each moment.”
This approach clearly reflects the personalized learning orientation at Hanoi Adelaide School—where each student is encouraged to build their own pathway aligned with their abilities and goals.
Here, learning is not separated from personal pursuits but integrated to support one another. Classroom knowledge becomes a foundation for debating, while debating experiences make learning more profound and practical.
Teachers play a role beyond simply delivering knowledge—they act as mentors, guides, and supporters who enable students to grow in their own way.
Lan Phuong shared that she always feels her personal direction is respected. While pursuing debating, she continues to receive support in balancing academics and extracurricular activities, along with guidance when facing challenges.
“My teachers create the conditions for me to grow in my own way.”
Additionally, the learning environment at H.A.S plays a crucial role in maintaining motivation. When efforts are recognized and each student is encouraged to develop their strengths, learning becomes more meaningful and aligned with personal goals.
Greater Self-Awareness and Clearer Direction
The most significant transformation for Lan Phuong lies not only in her skills or achievements, but in how she perceives learning and her future direction. She no longer feels forced to choose between academic success and pursuing her passion—both can go hand in hand with the right pathway.
“At H.A.S, I don’t feel like I have to choose between studying well and following my passion.”
Her journey shows that when students understand themselves, have a clear direction, and receive the right support, learning becomes more than just outcomes—it becomes a sustainable process of growth.
Hanoi Adelaide School
Pioneering Competency-Based Education in Vietnam
