English anxiety is real? | Minh Như Trần Nguyễn | TEDxLuong The Vinh Youth

For many students, English begins as something they are expected to learn rather than something they genuinely want to explore. Surrounded by grades, exams, comparison, and expectations, a language meant to connect us with the world can gradually become a source of pressure and anxiety. Drawing from her own experience preparing for the National Excellent Student Competition in English, Trần Nguyễn Minh Như reflects on how she moved from feeling intimidated and inadequate to finding her own reason to keep learning. Through her story, she invites us to look beyond scores and achievements, and to reconsider what truly keeps us moving forward when external motivation is no longer enough. Perhaps overcoming the fear of English does not begin with becoming the best, but with finding something within the language that makes us want to take the next step. Let curiosity guide you, and let English grow with you - not as a burden to carry, but as a bridge to the world and to yourself.
Trần Nguyễn Minh Như is a high school student at Luong The Vinh High School for the Gifted with a strong passion for English, community projects, and public speaking. She holds an IELTS 8.0 and has received awards in national, provincial, and regional English competitions, including First Prize at the 2025–2026 Provincial Excellent Student Competition and a Silver Medal at the April 30th Olympic Competition.

Beyond academics, Minh Như is the Founder of Góc Phổ, a project supporting people on the autism spectrum. She is also a member of her school’s Youth Union Executive Committee and an Outstanding Youth Union Member for 2025–2026.

At TEDxYouth Luong The Vinh 2026: Harmony, she shares her perspective on embracing challenges, navigating academic pressure, and finding harmony through growth. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx