A drive to overcome personal obstacles has propelled Le Dinh Luc, 32, to revolutionize English language education in Vietnam with a method he calls ‘Linearthinking.’

Luc’s journey began with a challenging move from Gia Lai Province in the Central Highlands to Ho Chi Minh City to attend a specialized math program at the High School for Gifted Students, part of the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City.

Struggling with English in comparison to peers who already excelled with high IELTS scores, Luc recognized that mastering the language was a crucial ‘life equation’ he needed to solve.

Applying the logical mindset he developed through mathematics, Luc dedicated himself to learning English, often studying through the night with outdated headphones and painstakingly analyzing vocabulary.

His efforts culminated in the development of Linearthinking, a method combining linguistic research, advanced memory techniques, and mathematical logic to simplify English learning.

“I wanted to make it easier for learners to express their ideas fluently and understand complex texts without needing an extensive vocabulary,” Luc explained.

The method centers on mapping out concepts and simplifying grammar rules rather than relying on rote memorization or shortcuts.

Building on Vietnamese ingenuity

As the CEO of DOL English, a nationwide English education chain with 18 branches nationwide, Luc has remained steadfast in his belief in Vietnamese talent and innovation.

The chain's coursebooks are entirely original, with 100 percent of their content and visuals self-designed and following the Linearthinking approach.

DOL English does not employ foreign instructors but instead leverages its proprietary DOL Super LMS system to enhance listening and speaking skills.

“With the Internet and technology evolving rapidly, learners can now rely on advanced systems rather than foreign instructors,” Luc said.

“We firmly believe in Vietnamese intelligence and are proud to introduce this Vietnamese-made product internationally.”

Luc’s commitment to education extends beyond business.

Under his leadership, DOL English has funded scholarships worth over VND3 billion (US$118,360) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training.

He and his colleagues at the English chain have donated VND200 million ($7,890) to disaster relief efforts.

Luc personally contributed VND80 million ($3,156) to support his alma mater.

Recognition and impact

Linearthinking, officially recognized by Vietnam’s National Office of Intellectual Property in 2019, has been shared with over 120 major schools and universities across the country, including Hanoi-Amsterdam High School and Ho Chi Minh City University of Education.

The method has attracted widespread acclaim, with DOL English now valued in the tens of millions of dollars.

Luc’s efforts earned him the prestigious Tuoi Tre Startup Award in 2022, an honor he used to give back by donating the prize money to the newspaper’s scholarship fund.

“The journey of entrepreneurship is full of challenges,” Luc said, expressing gratitude for the support and opportunities provided by local initiatives.

DOL English also offers free resources at dol.vn, along with an online dictionary and grammar tools to help students with limited financial means pursue their passion for language learning.

With a clear vision and unwavering mission, Luc continues to inspire a new generation of learners, demonstrating how Vietnamese ingenuity can lead in education both at home and abroad.

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