A month ago, I came across a short post online from a parent. The mother was already searching for an English center for her child, who had just finished elementary school, while the father had laid down a clear target: their child must achieve an IELTS score of 8.0 by grade 9.

Many readers criticized the parents, arguing that they were putting unnecessary pressure on a young child. At the time, I agreed.

But today, after seeing the results of the 10th-grade entrance English exam in Ho Chi Minh City, I found myself thinking differently.

Many of the top scores being shared online were 9 or higher. Looking at those results, I began to understand that the parents' concern may not have been about pushing their child too hard. Instead, it reflected the increasingly intense competition students face.

Children born after 2010 have grown up in a very different environment. Many start learning English at an early age and attend extra classes throughout their school years. In that context, English proficiency is no longer just an advantage, it is becoming a basic requirement.

Whether an IELTS 8.0 by Grade 9 is the right goal is open to debate. But one thing is clear: expectations are rising, and competition is becoming tougher every year.

If students do not build a strong foundation in English early on, how will they compete for places in top high schools, let alone gain an edge in university admissions and future career opportunities?