Vientiane: The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) in collaboration with Australia has officially inaugurated the development of Spoken Lao lessons for Grade 2 students. On 24 November 2025, the ‘Spoken Lao Grade 2 Introductory Session and Scoping Workshop’ was opened by Mr. Outhit Thipmany, Deputy Director General. The event included the participation of 19 scriptwriters and editors from the Research Institute of Educational Sciences (RIES) and other MoES departments along with technical experts from the BEQUAL program.
According to Lao News Agency, Mr. Thipmany emphasized the ongoing collaboration between MoES and Australia since 2019, aimed at enhancing Lao language skills for students who enter school without proficiency in Lao. The spoken Lao materials were tested in various provinces before being nationally implemented last year, yielding positive outcomes. The initiative supports students in improving their communication skills in an engaging and effective manner, facilitating their participation in classroom activities. Mr. Thipmany expressed his gratitude towards Australia for their continuous support and highlighted the workshop as a significant milestone in launching the Grade 2 development process.
Ms. Vanessa Hegarty, First Secretary at the Australian Embassy, reiterated the transformative impact of the Spoken Lao program on thousands of children across different areas. She stated that Australia’s support, in partnership with MoES, aims to promote inclusive education ensuring that every child, regardless of their linguistic background, has the opportunity to succeed in school. The collaborative effort aims to ensure no child is left behind.
The Spoken Lao lessons aim to aid non-Lao speaking students in developing their speaking and listening skills. Research indicates that acquiring oral language proficiency is a prerequisite for effective reading and writing. Focusing exclusively on oral skills allows students to build confidence without the immediate pressure of literacy tasks. The lessons are aligned with the Lao Language curriculum, equipping students with necessary linguistic skills applicable across all subjects.
Mr. Thipmany highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating that students who struggle with language comprehension risk falling behind. Spoken Lao provides a crucial opportunity for these students to keep pace with their peers and achieve success.
Over a 10-day period until 5 December, curriculum writing and design teams from RIES will work on creating the Grade 2 Spoken Lao curriculum. They will assess the effectiveness of Grade 1 materials, identify areas for improvement, and strategize on developing impactful materials. The outcome will be a detailed plan for Grade 2 lessons.
The workshop promotes hands-on and interactive experiences, with Grade 1 team members demonstrating lessons, allowing participants to assume the role of non-Lao speaking Grade 1 students. Participants will engage with various language learning methods and activities while deepening their understanding of international research and best practices.
The development process will mirror the successful approach used previously, with BEQUAL experts offering technical support through workshops on planning, writing, trialing, revising, and designing materials. The new Grade 2 resources are slated for nationwide rollout in the 2027-2028 school year. Australia will maintain its technical and financial support, while MoES will seek additional funding for printing and distribution from the national budget or development partners.
Mr. Thipmany noted that Laos’s linguistic diversity, with over 50 languages spoken, necessitates the expansion of Spoken Lao to Grade 2. This aligns with RIES’s five-year Strategic Development Plan to ensure continuous language support for non-Lao speaking children in early education.
BEQUAL, a program supported by the Lao Government, Australian Government, and the United States Government, focuses on improving educational outcomes for Laos’s youth, particularly the vulnerable and disadvantaged, while promoting gender equality and inclusive education.
