Correlations between Living Values and Life Skills of Secondary School Students in Vietnam

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between the living values and life skills of 883 students in five secondary schools in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. The questionnaire used in the study consists of 42 items reflecting 9 living values (Patriotism, Cooperation, Safety, Happiness, Tolerance, Hardworking, Love -- Respect, Responsible for the future and Honesty) and 23 items reflecting 3 life skills (Autonomy, Problem Solving and Creativity, and Communication). The results show that: The students made a clear expression of the 9 living values and the 3 life skills. The living values and life skills were positively correlated with the Pearson correlation coefficients of from 0.33 to 0.684. The correlation coefficients between living values and life skills expressed by females are higher than those for males. The correlation coefficients between living values and life skills by grade level are positive. This study also showed the need to focus on educating the living values and life skills under the focus of the general education program in Vietnam today. The research provides a scientific basis and evidence that many high secondary schools in Vietnam are focusing on educating only life skills in the past decade will review and adjust their model and approach of life skills education. These practical results help reinforce the approach and educational model for integrated living values and life skills. Many schools, especially five schools of the sample group in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hanoi, can immediately adjust their current model of living values and life skills education.