Start Here — Step-by-Step Guide for Absolute Beginners

Welcome to SVFF!

If you're brand new to Vietnamese — or brand new to SVFF — this guide will walk you through everything step by step. By the end, you'll know exactly where to go, what to click, and how to start making real progress.

Step 1: Explore the Course Library

Visit svff.online/courses to see every course available on the platform. Courses are organised by level:

• Level 00 — Absolute beginner. No prior Vietnamese knowledge needed. Covers the alphabet, tones, greetings, and basic phrases.
• Level 01 — Beginner. Simple conversations, numbers, time, food, directions.
• Level 02 — Elementary. Longer conversations, past/future tenses, expressing opinions.
• Level 03–05 — Intermediate to advanced. Complex grammar, reading, and fluency building.

Not sure which level to choose? Start with Level 00 or Level 01. You can always move faster if the material feels easy.

Step 2: Start with Level 00 or Level 01

Click on a course and hit Enrol. You'll land on the course page, which shows all the units. Open Unit 1 and work through the lessons and activities in order.

Each unit typically contains:

1. A textbook lesson — read the content, study new vocabulary and grammar
2. Practice activities — vocabulary matching, fill-in-the-blank, listening exercises, and quizzes
3. Review activities — test what you've learned before moving to the next unit

Step 3: Try the AI Tutor

Stuck on a word? Confused by a grammar rule? Open the AI Tutor — it's available 24/7 and understands both English and Vietnamese.

You can ask it things like:

• "What does 'xin chào' mean?"
• "How do I use 'đã' and 'rồi' in a sentence?"
• "Check this sentence: Tôi muốn đi chợ ngày mai."

The AI Tutor gives instant, detailed explanations tailored to your level.

Step 4: Join the Community

Learning a language is more fun with others. The SVFF community lets you:

• Ask questions and get answers from fellow learners and teachers
• Share your progress and celebrate milestones
• Find study partners at your level

Step 5: Book a Trial Lesson

When you're ready for live speaking practice, book a trial lesson with one of our teachers at svff.online/teachers. A trial lesson lets you:

• Meet a real Vietnamese teacher over video call
• Get personalised feedback on your pronunciation
• Discuss your goals and get a recommended study plan

Quick Tips for Success

1. Study a little every day — 15 minutes daily beats 2 hours once a week
2. Don't skip the activities — they reinforce what the textbook teaches
3. Use the AI Tutor often — it's like having a teacher on call
4. Take notes — use the built-in Notes feature to save vocabulary and grammar points
5. Be patient with tones — Vietnamese has 6 tones, and they take time. Keep practising!