parishes/communities to survive and grow, its
4
Phương Pháp Hàng Đội
(Team Method)
Objective
• Students will learn the need for the
Team Method in TNTT activities and how to
apply it to their own teams.
Fact Finding
Definition of ‘Team Method’
• Team Method is a training method
that divides members into teams, the basic
unit of TNTT.
• Team Captains are given
responsibilities and the authority to carry out
orders with the help of assistants and
members of the team.
The Purpose and Benefits of a Team
Independence. Each team can function and take care
of itself. All team members struggle with the team’s
challenges and work together to face them. HTs are
still present for guidance and support but the team is
the driving force of all its own actions.
Peer Education. There is Vietnamese proverb that
states “Học thày không tày học bạn.” (rough
translation: “Learning from teachers cannot compare
to learning from friends.”). TNTT leaders take this
proverb to heart and understand that an individual can
learn faster and easier from his/her peers than from an
older authority figure. The team method allows
members to complement each others’ strengths and
weaknesses. We improve our weaknesses by learning
from someone else’s strength; we apply our strengths
by using to help others with their weaknesses.
Promotes Unity. TNTT recognizes that its members
are the future of the Catholic Church and their own
local communities. In order for our
members (the current Ấu Nhi, Thiếu Nhi, Nghĩa Sĩ)
must have a sense of connection to one another.
Placing members into teams sows the seeds for new
friendships and a spirit of camaraderie at a young
age.
Sense of Responsibility. Being on a team helps
individuals realize that they are parts of a greater
whole. Once members understand that their actions
affect others and others rely on them, they begin to
choose their actions based on what is good for the
team, instead of just what is good for them. These
actions can develop positive characteristics such as
thoughtfulness and selflessness.
Self-disciple, Self-willing. Often, people perform
good deeds for the wrong reasons (self-gain, fear of
punishment). This is especially true in the case of
youngsters (TNTT members) who have authority
figures (HTs). By placing students in teams and
allowing the team to handle its own activities (with
some guidance), they develop the spirit of self-
discipline. Members learn not only to perform good
deeds, but also for the right reasons.
Roles and Responsibilities in a Team
The purpose and benefits of the Team Method can
only be achieved if each member in the team works
hard to fulfill his/her roles.
Team Captain. Team captains are specifically chosen
by the HTs (and in the case of Nghĩa Sĩ, his/her
peers) . It is their responsibility to be the bridge
between HTs and their teammates. After receiving
instructions from HTs, they must delegate
responsibilities and motivate team members to
accomplish their goals. A good team captain is
respected by superiors and admired by peers.
Team Assistant Captain. No team captain can
succeed solely on this own. Therefore, assistant
captains are trained along with the captains. They
take the leadership role in the absence of the Captain,
and also help new members become familiar with the
team.
Team Members. Leaders are only as good as the
people who follow them, so team members are have
an essential role in the team’s success. The specific
roles that a team member fills depends on his/her
own talents and skills, but the common goal of the
team’s well-being remains the same. Therefore, it is
the duty of each team member to apply their abilities
to help the team, regardless of whether or not the role
is fun/exciting.

Summary
- Au Nhi, Thieu Nhi, Nghia Si are the future of
TNTT and of their communities. In order to
fulfill their roles, training must begin now.
- The team method helps students to work
together and develop good relations with
each at an early age.
- The team method also helps students develop
valuable characteristics.

Homework
1. What are the benefits of working in a team as
opposed to working alone? Give an example
of when working in a team has helped you.
2. What are the roles on a team that needs to be
fulfilled?
3. What role are you asked to fulfill on your
team? How do you think you are doing with
that role?