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In EFL countries where English is rarely practiced outside the classroom, textbooks have become the major input source for learners. Particularly in Vietnam, multiple textbook series are available simultaneously for the same grade. Thus, it is important to examine if their vocabulary is appropriate and of similar difficulty. This study aims to investigate and compare the lexical demands, sophistication, diversity, and lengths of reading passages in the eight latest series for Vietnamese 10th graders with 53,360 tokens in total. The results revealed that the most frequent 1,000, 2,000-3,000, and roughly 4,000-word families in the BNC/COCA wordlist, plus proper nouns, marginal words, transparent compounds, and acronyms, were respectively needed for 85%, 95%, and 98% coverage. Additionally, pairwise comparisons uncovered that the passages differ significantly in length yet insignificantly in lexical sophistication and diversity. Therefore, the series appear to be well-suited to co-implementation and facilitative to vocabulary development despite not being optimized for independent learning. The study still calls for simplifying the eight textbook series to promote meaning-focused output. Finally, implications for exploiting and revising these textbook series are discussed.

By investigating Vietnamese English learners' perspectives on influential cultural factors and barriers these factors bring to the development of learner autonomy, this study seeks to draw attention to proper consideration of the host cultural values in importing and implementing Western educational theories. A phenomenological approach was employed, and qualitative data were collected from in-depth interviews with 15 English majored students from a public university in the Mekong Delta. Using Hofstede et al.'s (2010) six-dimensional model of cultural differences as a theoretical framework, the study reveals that all the six dimensions, at different levels, hinder the development of learner autonomy. The study also uncovers cultural assimilation - a state in which individuals perceive a certain cultural characteristic as their personality traits without any adjustment, corresponding to the Restraint factor. These results emphasize the significance of cultural analysis and imply the need for constructing a culturally appropriate pedagogy to promote learner autonomy. The paper concludes by discussing some possible directions for further research in the field.

Although group work activities are commonly employed in communicative second language (L2) classes, there are few studies that investigate how much teachers and students, the two main stakeholders, agree or differ on how group work activities should be conducted. To fill this gap, this study, which was carried out at a public university in Vietnam, examined the perceptions of both teachers and students to uncover matches and mismatches in their perceptions of important issues for effective group work implementation. The study explored the actual experiences of six teachers and ten students, who were chosen by convenience sampling. Thematic analysis of the interviews indicated that the benefits of group work were widely agreed upon, as were the preferences for group size and self-selection of group members. However, there was disagreement over ways of grouping, the role of leadership, and the use of peer assessment. The findings have significant implications for relevant stakeholders, especially in the Asian English as a foreign language (EFL) context, about what would work well and what needs to be addressed to maximize the effectiveness of group work implementation.

This study investigates the perceptions of Vietnamese English-majored students towards online learning courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. While online learning has been shown to have numerous benefits, few studies have focused on exploring perceptions of Vietnamese learners of English (EFL) towards online learning course at university level in the Vietnamese context. To address this gap, the present study surveyed 60 Vietnamese EFL learners who have experience with online courses offered by a university in southern Vietnam, using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) developed (Davis, Bagozzi, & Warshaw, 1989). The findings reveal various challenges and benefits of the online learning mode, which are reported by learners through their perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use when taking online courses. The learners' own experiences during online courses were also revealed. The outcomes of this study provide insights into the unique experiences of Vietnamese EFL learners with e-learning and offer suggestions for optimizing online education for this population in university settings.

This investigation examines how Meta-Analysis Based Modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (Meta-UTAUT) model factors affect English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education's adoption of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL). SmartPLS 3.0 software processed and analyzed data from 396 online survey participants. The findings show that attitude (ATT), performance expectation (PE), effort expectation (EE), perceived behavior control (PBC), social influence (SJ), and behavioral intention (BJ) influence actual usage behavior (UB) from high to low. This may indicate learners' views on MALL's importance and practicality in education. This research proposes strategies for educators to integrate this technology to improve educational quality.

Coordinate geometry is an important part of mathematics. It helps students develop thinking, logic, and problem-solving skills. This study was conducted to test the effectiveness of the CORE learning model in promoting students' mathematical problem-solving skills when they learn the method of coordinates in a plane. Consequently, this study used mixed methods as a quasi-experiment with a non-equivalent control group design, with assessment tools including pretest, post-test, classroom observation, and attitude survey. The data collected were quantitatively analyzed with JASP and qualitatively analyzed. The analysis findings demonstrate that the students in the experimental group performed better academically in terms of knowledge and problemsolving skills and had more optimistic learning attitudes. In particular, a correlation test was performed on the pre-and post-test scores of the experimental group. It showed that with a correlation level of 0.810, according to the Hopkins reference table, the scores of the students in the experimental group were higher than those of the control group due to the effectiveness of the CORE learning model in promoting students' problem-solving abilities. In addition, the study identified certain limitations and proposed new research directions for the future.

The lives and learning experiences of high school students are increasingly intertwined with online activities. With the global trend of Education 4.0, equipping students with digital skills is essential, including the capacity for online social-emotional skills. Someone with social-emotional skills knows how to turn social media into a useful tool, providing opportunities for personal development. This study focuses on developing social-emotional competence for high school students in the context of the Education 4.0 trend. The project has developed a learning program consisting of 6 common social-emotional skill themes for both virtual and real environments and implemented a test on 34 students. Using experimental evaluation methods, classroom observation, and quantitative methods were employed to assess the effectiveness of the program. The results indicate a significant improvement in students' social-emotional competence, with an average score post-experiment of 3.7397. Our experimental model also achieved 63.6% of CASEL criteria for organizing social-emotional competence. Therefore, the study has strengthened the findings and achievements in the development of social-emotional competence training in the fields of educational psychology in Vietnam.

Work-integrated learning (WIL) has the capacity to combine academic knowledge with practical experience through specialized programs. While there is extensive literature on WIL, there exists a dearth of research on learners' perspectives, particularly in comparative studies across majors. This study compares the perspectives of 164 engineering students and 172 economics students in Vietnam on WIL. The independent t-test shows both groups recognize WIL's importance for accessing the work environment and improving employability skills. The one-way MANOVA test reveals technical universities offer more diverse and specialized WIL programs, while economics students have limited well-structured WIL opportunities. Mann-Whitney U test results indicate that, in engineering, male students are more aware of WIL's significance for employability. In economics, no significant gender difference exists in WIL perception. The research guides WIL developers in customizing WIL programs based on discipline-specific needs. Additionally, it explores study limitations and suggests potential avenues for future research.

In 2012, the Vietnamese government enacted the institutional autonomy policy to support the reform process of the higher education system. The autonomy policy signifies the transfer of decision-making authority from ministries to public universities to increase university performance and competitiveness in the globalized knowledge economy. This paper examines the nature of autonomy as a new form of governance in Vietnamese higher education through the lens of agency theory. I used thematic analysis to analyze policy documents released by the Vietnamese government between 1993 and 2021. The findings indicate autonomy means Vietnamese public universities have authority to make decisions on primary activities; yet they must be accountable for their decision-making and responsible for funding sources. The study contributes to the literature on comparative and international higher education by providing a better understanding of autonomy in a post-Soviet context and informing a transformative approach to policy practices for the higher education reform.

This study focuses on developing and validating a questionnaire to assess the integration of ICT by EFL teachers in higher education settings in Vietnam. Twenty EFL teachers from three language institutes participated in semi-structured interviews, generating 20 questionnaire items. Qualitative content analysis of the interview data provided insights into EFL teachers' perspectives on ICT integration. Additionally, a document analysis and literature review informed the questionnaire development. A total of 150 EFL teachers were selected to validate the questionnaire by completing the items. Exploratory Factor Analysis identified the underlying constructs of ICT integration. Grounded in the SAMR model, the investigation explored the perceived effectiveness of ICT and identified obstacles to optimal utilization in the EFL classroom. The findings contribute to understanding ICT integration in EFL teaching, informing improvements in language education practices at Vietnamese higher education institutions.

This study aims to investigate Vietnamese pain terms and pain descriptors with a focus on how the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) words are utilised by the Vietnamese patients. Semi-structured interviews were employed to collect data from twenty-six Vietnamese female cancer patients. The data were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative content analysis. The findings indicated that dau (hurt), nh?c (ache), and dau-nh?c (hurt and ache) are three basic pain terms in Vietnamese, with dau being a super-ordinate pain term. In addition, Vietnamese pain descriptors can be systematically classified into MPQ-VN descriptors and Non-MPQ-VN descriptors, with the latter being used far more frequently than the former. The study also found that MPQ descriptors could not reflect the patients' pain experience comprehensively in the Vietnamese context although the Vietnamese employed the equivalents of MPQ descriptors of different categories. That the limitations of Melzack's (1975) inventory of MPQ descriptors have been validated in Vietnamese has contributed to Vietnamese healthcare professionals' understanding of how the patients communicate about their pain experience using language. The study has also shed lights on applied linguists' research directions which can be extended to areas beyond language education, such as health, therapy, and counselling.

The current study aimed to gain insight into the nuanced challenges that Vietnamese learners encountered due to the interference of their native linguistic structures and norms. This qualitative study explored the experiences of Vietnamese learners in acquiring English, focusing on the influence of negative L1 transfer. This study focused on the influence of negative transfer from their first language (L1) by drawing upon in-depth interviews and observational data from a group of Vietnamese university students. The results showed that despite exhibiting high levels of motivation and enthusiasm for learning English, Vietnamese learners struggled with the shadows of L1 interference in areas such as pronunciation, syntax, and idiomatic expressions. The tonal nature of the Vietnamese language led to intonation patterns in English that deviated from native norms. Direct translations also contributed to unidiomatic English, indicating a deep influence of L1 thought patterns. Additionally, cultural contexts embedded within the Vietnamese language presented challenges, as some concepts and expressions lacked direct English equivalents. Although students faced various obstacles, they utilized a variety of adaptive techniques to lessen the impact of negative transfer. These techniques included code-switching, peer correction, and self-reflection. The study emphasized the significance of recognizing and comprehending the significant role of L1 when creating English language educational programs and teaching techniques for Vietnamese students. By illuminating the specific challenges and adaptive strategies of these learners, educators could personalize their approaches, leading to a more comprehensive and efficacious language-learning atmosphere.

The use of grades as an extrinsic motivator in formal schooling has been demonstrated in previous research to have negative implications for students' learning and mental health. This subject matter has been particularly absent from the research literature in Vietnam, where the obsession with grades is self-evident. The present study aims to explore Vietnamese university students' orientations toward learning and grades, learning strategy use, mental well-being, and how these variables correlate. In addition, the study examines the potential interplay between learning orientation and grade orientation to influence the latter two variables. A quantitative research design was employed to achieve these goals. Survey responses were collected from 38 second- and third-year students majoring in English Language at a large, public university during a summer semester. Specifically for learning strategy use, participants were directed to pull from their experiences in a Public Speaking course that they had completed in the previous semester. Results revealed that a learning orientation was moderately related to both adaptive learning strategy use and mental wellness, whereas a grade orientation was only negatively related to learning strategy use and unrelated to mental well-being. Moreover, a strong learning orientation alone resulted in the most positive outcomes for both learning and mental health, and higher levels of grade orientation weakened those outcomes. Limitations of the study, directions for future research in this area, and implications for students and educators are then discussed.

Purpose: This article examines the use of English medium instruction (EMI) for teaching Japanese as a foreign language (JFL) by non-native speakers with a focus on multilingual classrooms. It also explores teachers' positive and negative beliefs about using EMI in classroom settings for JFL instruction. Methods and procedure: 274 non-native Japanese language teachers from around the world (57 countries) voluntarily participated in a survey, answering a questionnaire on Google Forms and Jotform. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed. The research instrument was piloted before the main study and was found to be effective and adequate to elicit the desired data. The research questions aimed to identify whether there were any relationships between the use of EMI and the multilingual classroom. Findings: The results showed a clear correlation between the extensive use of EMI and the multilingual character of JFL classrooms. Translanguaging turned out to be a common practice adopted by non-native Japanese teachers regardless of the primary language of instruction. The article concludes that EMI can be a valuable tool for JFL instruction in multilingual classrooms. Based on the investigation of the teachers' beliefs, the results showed a changing positive attitude towards English employed in JFL classrooms. Implications for research and practice: The findings can be used to further investigate EMI in JFL instructional practices in multilingual classrooms, improve the quality of JFL instruction and facilitate the integration of multilingual education into foreign language teaching. Future research can explore the effectiveness of EMI in different JFL contexts and investigate the impact of EMI on students' language learning outcomes.

The significance of environmental education has become more evident, driven by global concerns surrounding climate change. In Vietnam, a country facing significant environmental challenges, developing environmental knowledge of elementary school teachers is crucial. This study aimed to validate a questionnaire for assessing professional knowledge of elementary school teachers in teaching environmental issues, originally designed in the Korean context. Recognizing the need for adaptation to the Vietnamese educational system, language, and local environmental issues, the initial 39-item questionnaire underwent a validation process. A total of 86 elementary school teachers participated in the construct validity and reliability, while eight qualified professionals evaluated the content validity. The results indicated that content validity indices for each item ranged from 0.88 to 1.00, and a scale-content validity index was 0.90. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed construct validity, organizing the 27 items into seven dimensions. The Cronbach's [alpha] coefficient was 0.86, which confirmed the questionnaire demonstrated a high level of reliability. Therefore, it is a reliable instrument for assessing elementary school teachers' professional knowledge in teaching environmental issues, which is relevant in the Vietnamese context. The validated instrument supports the development of professional development programs and contributes to the broader goal of enhancing environmental education in Vietnam.

This study investigates the role of speaking the Jing language in the contemporary context of China's active engagement with Vietnam. Based on the fieldwork conducted in Dongxing Guangxi in January 2024, the study shows that the Jing language plays an important role in both maintaining the cultural heritage as pride and empowering the educational and employment trajectories as profit. More importantly, the capacity of speaking the Jing language can contribute to the social and medical communication between China and Vietnam. This can be manifested in terms of cultural communication with Vietnam and medical treatment for Vietnamese migrants. However, speaking the Jing language as pride is not always consistent with speaking the Jing language as profit. The internal differentiation within Vietnamese varieties may cause communication barriers for Jing speakers. The limited development of the Jing language also creates another layer of communication challenges for Jing people engaging in professional practices. How to mobilize the Jing language to facilitate the bilateral communication between China and Vietnam deserves our attention for future studies. The study has enriched the scope of the studies on language planning and policy in the borderlands. The study can shed lights on implementing language policy in China's border provinces and provide practical implications to facilitate the political and economic communication between China and other neighbouring countries for border prosperity and border stability.

Rapid economic growth and globalization have made higher education internationalization no longer the exclusive arena for developed countries but also open for players from the non-English speaking, developing world. A quality learning environment is among determinants for the success of international students mobility and should be taken into serious consideration by countries that want to prevail. However, much of the existing learning environment literature has targeted international students, ignoring the insights of other stakeholders, especially those from the host country side. This mixed-methods study investigated the perception and attitudes of EFL teachers and students towards the quality of the classroom learning environment (CLE) with the participation of international students in a university in Vietnam. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews were used to interpret quantitative data collected via questionnaire surveys with 136 student participants. Findings showed a positive assessment of CLEs in the studied context. CLE factors such as student cohesiveness and task orientation were believed to be affected by the presence of international students, which could be attributed to communication barriers and challenges in organizing class activities. The findings contribute a robust understanding for further exploration of the under-researched realm of classroom environment with international students.

Fluency development is one of the prominent components of a well-balanced language course. In particular, speaking fluency interests second language (L2) researchers who have continuously tried to look for the finest approach for helping L2 learners attain a certain level of fluency to achieve effective communication. To this end, the primary purpose of this research is to explore what factors affect English-speaking fluency and what strategies can effectively boost its development among a cohort of Vietnamese university students. The participants were 142 English majors who filled out a questionnaire measuring their perceived self-efficacy concerning English-speaking fluency. Four teachers and six students joined the semi-structured interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data revealed that the most influential factors were linguistic elements, followed by performance, and affective factors. The most effective strategy for enhancing fluency was task repetition. Notably, the findings revealed a mismatch between teachers' and students' understandings of speaking fluency, which may negatively impact the achievement of fluent speech. Based on these results, pedagogical implications are discussed for English teachers and students regarding fluency development.

While Task-based Language Teaching (TBLT) has been widely researched and accepted as a potentially powerful teaching method in language education around the world, research examining the teachers' beliefs about the impacts of a training on TBLT to date has remained limited. In Vietnam, studies on this topic were scarce (Nguyen & Jaspaert, 2021). This study thus investigates the Vietnamese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in-service teachers' beliefs about the impact of a TBLT training program. To collect data, classroom observations followed by semi-structured interviews were conducted with five volunteer teachers. The findings showed that the teachers generally had strong beliefs in the usefulness of the TBLT training program for professional development, and their willingness to pursue TBLT teaching. Although there exist barriers hindering this TBLT training program, many teachers expressed interest to undergo more TBLT training in the future. The findings in this study are expected to provide some insightful pedagogical implications for developing a TBLT training program for in-service teachers in the similar context of language education in Vietnam and other EFL settings.

Courses are the fundamental building blocks of educational programs, serving as a tangible representation of student attainment and the desired learning outcomes of the program. Despite their pivotal role in education, however, a standardized framework for the development, implementation, and enhancement of course specifications remains elusive. Given that different programs may employ varying formats with differing levels of detail, it is critical to establish a universal framework that enables instructors to adhere to quality standards at the program level. To this end, leveraging the ASEAN University Network -- Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) and Quality Matters Rubric, this study seeks to optimize course quality assurance requirements and assess lecturers' perception of these proposed guidelines. Drawing on document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and importance-level measurement, the findings of this study underscore the significance of eight criteria, comprising a total of 25 quality requirements, in ensuring course quality. These criteria include learning outcomes, structure and content, instructional approaches, learning assessment, learner support, staff, and output. Notably, these criteria align with the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle theory, thereby promoting continuous improvement in education.

The ultimate goals of education and training are the development of learners' learning outcomes. The prospect of achieving high academic results should function as a driving force for students to be engaged in learning. Recognition of the factors affecting their learning satisfaction should facilitate their learning process, especially in online learning environments such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The purpose of this study was to examine the interactions among students' characteristics, their perceived values of self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies, satisfaction and academic performances. A mixed-methods design was employed to investigate the issue under exploration. The 227 surveyed responses were collected from English majors who had experience in MOOCs and were studying at a private university in Can Tho city in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Data from the survey was analysed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 25 for the correlations between their characteristics and the quantitative variables, while Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was performed to examine the perceived effects of self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies on their satisfaction and academic outcomes. Qualitative data was collected through open-ended survey questions and analysed based on thematic analysis guidelines. The results revealed that SRL strategies such as strategic planning, time management, environment structuring, and help-seeking positively influenced both student satisfaction and academic performance. Notably, the study identified flexible learning time, self-paced learning, and the ability to choose study locations as significant factors enhancing student satisfaction. Conversely, limited social interaction, poor internet connectivity, and low motivation were found to be demotivating factors. Additionally, the study highlighted the importance of gender and prior online learning experience in shaping students' satisfaction and performance in MOOCs. While gender showed no significant correlation with SRL strategies, satisfaction, or academic performance, prior experience in online learning environments, such as the number of completed MOOC courses, was significantly correlated with better academic outcomes. However, a weak negative correlation between students' academic years and their satisfaction was observed, suggesting that more advanced students might face increased academic pressure and higher expectations, leading to lower satisfaction levels. The research underscores the critical role of SRL strategies in facilitating effective learning in MOOCs, especially in the context of English major students who often lack direct interaction with instructors and peers. Training students in SRL strategies can help them better manage their learning processes, overcome challenges, and achieve their academic goals. This study contributes to the understanding of how student characteristics and SRL strategies affect learning in online environments and suggests practical implications for enhancing MOOC experiences. Future research should investigate additional SRL strategies and include a larger, more diverse sample to provide a more comprehensive understanding of their impact on student satisfaction and academic performance in MOOCs. Furthermore, exploring the specific challenges faced by different academic disciplines in MOOCs could offer more tailored solutions to improve online learning experiences.

In Vietnam's 2018 Literacy Education Curriculum Guideline, creative writing is a new requirement, emphasized for its goals of developing primary students' language competencies, critical thinking, and problem-solving. This new requirement offers teachers an opportunity to help students enhance their writing competencies and presents a challenge, as it requires them to have specific competencies, professional development, and specific guidelines. When it comes to the current situation of creative writing instruction in primary schools, it has many limitations and requires improvement. While instructional materials significantly influence teachers' instruction by establishing suitable educational objectives, methodologies, and contents, the coverage of contents on creative writing instruction in some reference materials is very limited, leading to confusion among teachers and ineffective practices in actual classrooms. Therefore, an in-depth analysis of some key reference documents is crucial to come up with suggestions to improve the quality of creative writing instruction in primary schools, which is the focus of this study. The findings revealed some problems with possible suggestions for the four following issues: (1) approaches for creative writing for primary students, (2) approaches for assessing students' creative writing competencies, (3) time allocation for creative writing instruction, and (4) contents on creative writing instruction in Vietnamese Textbooks.

This article presents a review of the current state and the potential of digitalization of Vietnam's higher education and makes recommendations in support of the digitalization process. It is mainly based on public documents. The paper discusses the extent of institutional digital transformation, its challenges, and opportunities in two contexts: (1) before the outbreak of COVID-19 when the process of digitalization of most universities was just beginning and varied in level, and (2) after the outbreak of COVID-19, when digitalization occurred rapidly. The review addresses digitalization in line with the National Digital Transformation Program with a vision for 2030, which has three targets: (1) to develop the platform to support distance learning and teaching and thoroughly apply digital technologies to management, teaching, and learning; (2) the development of digitalized learning materials, and (3) the creation of a data warehouse for sharing teaching and learning resources.

Understanding teachers' expectations of university social responsibility (USR) is imperative for formulating effective human resources strategies within higher education institutions (HEIs). This study delves into teacher perceptions of USR within the context of higher education institutions (HEIs) in emerging countries, examining how these perceptions influence teacher satisfaction. The mediating roles of HEIs' reputation and image in shaping this relationship are also explored. Data were collected from 140 teachers across 15 Vietnamese universities. The research model underwent evaluation through structural equation modeling (SEM) utilizing the Partial Least Squares path modeling. The results affirm a positive influence of teachers' perceived USR on their satisfaction with universities. Notably, both HEIs' reputation and image serve as mediating factors in this relationship. Regarding the specific USR constructs, the findings highlight that teachers' overall perception of USRs is constructed based on their engagement with educational, environmental research, and partnership responsibilities within HEIs. This study underscores the importance of cultivating a positive reputation and image when integrating USR into the governance strategies of higher education institutions.

This paper investigates the perceptions of pre-service teachers and in-service teachers regarding the concept of 'values education' and the preparation of values education in professional programs in Vietnam. Furthermore, the pedagogical strategies employed by teachers in addressing values education situations in their classrooms are explored. A qualitative research design was employed, involving interviews with forty-three pre-service teachers from a university. Additionally, eighteen teachers from two different high schools were interviewed, and their teaching sessions, along with school assemblies, were observed. The findings reveal that values education is primarily understood as the instruction of living skills and moral education. There is a lack of conceptualization and knowledge regarding values education among the participants. Both preservice teachers and in-service teachers did not receive formal values education programs during their university education, and the support provided by schools in this regard was limited. Teachers tended to integrate values education into subjects randomly and subjectively, without employing advanced strategies. Inconsistencies in implementation and challenges associated with teaching values were observed. Highlighting an urgent necessity, this article emphasizes the imperative need for values education programs tailored for both pre-service and in-service teachers in Vietnam. It underscores the significance of adequately equipping teachers to effectively address values education in their classroom.

The professional work of today's agricultural and forestry engineers is changing dramatically under the impact of the 4th industrial revolution. In that context, the competence to apply information technology (IT) is one of the core and significant competencies. Therefore, in order for training products to meet the needs of society, one of the problems that training facility for agriculture and forestry industry need to solve is to clearly identify the basic requirements for agro-forestry graduates to meet the basic requirements of IT application competence. Based on theoretical and practical research on the IT application competence of each job position and the trend of employment change in the 4.0 period, the article presents the levels of IT application competence in the agro-forestry industry. On the basis of test results and opinions of experts and employers, the article has proposed the components and required levels of IT application competence for agro-forestry students. The research results, in addition to providing information on the current state of students' IT application competence, are also a good reference source for agro-forestry training institutions to set learning outcomes, develop training programs, and innovate new training methods to promptly provide high-quality human resources for the agroforestry industry in the context of the 4th industrial revolution.

This study investigates students' evaluations of the effects of using a website builder-based project (WBP) on learning English for Specific Purposes (Legal English), specifically in relation to reflection, collaboration and skills development. The study also examines how WBP affects student learning motivation and academic achievement, as well as students' beliefs about the feasibility and potential of using WBP in learning. The study employs mixed-method design that includes qualitative and quantitative approaches. Three hundred and three second-year students, who enrolled in the Legal English course at a university in Vietnam participated in the study, basing on the stratified sampling. The main instruments include questionnaires followed by the open-ended questions, and interviews. The findings demonstrate that WBP had a positive impact on students' collaboration, reflection and skills development. Additionally, the use of WBP significantly influenced students' academic achievement, and there was a slight difference in academic achievement between the group using WBP and the group without WBP use. Students acknowledged that using WBP in learning is a feasible, innovative and potential approach for both present and lifelong learning. The changes in teaching and learning approaches by teachers should be made to be compatible with this innovation in a smart educational environment.

Online peer feedback has been widely applied to teaching L2 writing because of its potential benefits. Accordingly, training is one of the prominent factors contributing to the effectiveness of the activity, especially for inexperienced learners. Acknowledging this significant issue, the current study aims to develop specific online peer feedback training for inexperienced learners based on their performance naturally during the online peer feedback process, followed by an assessment of its effectiveness. Using the qualitative method design that draws upon the sources of data, including students' online written comments (Google Docs), oral feedback (Zoom recorded), observations, their drafts, and their reflections and responses through semi-structured interviews, this study presents an in-depth analysis of students' performance toward peer feedback (without training), how the training is developed, and the impacts of training on the students' practice. Finally, the study discusses pedagogical implications regarding the instructions and training for online peer feedback in teaching L2 writing, which can be applicably adapted for similar EFL or ESL contexts and learner backgrounds.

English is an indispensable language, especially in the digital age. For students who are not specialized in English vocabulary, understanding effective vocabulary learning strategies becomes crucial, helps increase their chances of being hired, and improves coherence in written and spoken communication. This study investigates the vocabulary learning strategies most and least commonly employed by ESP students. The research involved 59 participants from three majors: business administration, accounting, and tourism. Data collection was carried out through questionnaires and interviews. The findings highlight students' preference for metacognitive strategies and their positive attitude toward technology as a supportive tool for vocabulary acquisition. Additionally, cognitive and memory strategies linked to learned vocabulary were occasionally utilized. The implications of this research extend to teachers, students, and curriculum designers, providing insights for developing appropriate methods to enhance ESP vocabulary learning.

The utilization of blended learning in the field of English language instruction has shown a notable rise in recent times. Blended learning has the ability to provide an optimal setting for language education, enabling a transition from conventional instructional approaches to more progressive ways through the integration of technology. Nevertheless, several unresolved issues remain in relation to this methodology. This paper examines the perceptions of students regarding the potential benefits and obstacles associated with the implementation of blended learning in English language courses at a university in Vietnam. Additionally, the study proposes many solutions with the objective of enhancing the current situation and establishing a solid foundation for the future growth of blended learning. The study involved a sample of 165 first-year students, with online surveys and interviews being utilized as the primary methods of data collection The results of the study indicate that contemporary students can be classified as digital natives. While they demonstrate proficiency in various technical skills, have easy access to technology, and exhibit a propensity for self-directed learning, their inclination towards traditional classroom environments is evident when it comes to their attitudes regarding online engagement with instructors and peers in English courses.

English speaking accuracy is one of the most important aspects of Business English. While most studies are conducted to improve English speaking accuracy, they neglect phrasal semantics. This present study involves 30 participants from Phu Em Company. The study employs a mixed-methods design in which the quantitative approach helps quantify the speaking accuracy scores made by learners while the qualitative approach explores how learners perceive the use of interrogative constructions. The instruments are a questionnaire and an interview. Data analysis procedures include a theme analysis of the interview data, a statistical analysis of the test and survey data, and integrated findings. The findings from this research provide evidence that using interrogative constructions does not improve grammatical or phonological accuracy but improves expressing accuracy. The study also reveals that 58% of EG learners provide positive feedback on the use of interrogative constructions in learning English speaking skills. Based on the findings, several suggestions are offered to teachers and learners.

Organizing effective instruction is a characteristic of classroom management, which minimizes time wasting and keeps students moving at a good pace. The primary purpose of this study is to explore the current practice of instruction-giving strategies being utilized in EFL classrooms in a Vietnamese public university. To achieve this goal, both qualitative and quantitative methods were utilized to explore the critical characteristics of instruction-giving. Classroom observations were the primary data collection method. During 19 observations, 25 instructions were noted for analysis. The findings of this study present certain characteristics of instruction-giving, namely attention-grabbing skills, repetition, the use of mother tongue and language, demonstration, and checking understanding to support instruction delivery. Also, the study's findings propose weaknesses that EFL teachers can take into consideration for better instruction-giving.

In the age of AI, critical thinking skills have proven indispensable for students to achieve a competitive edge and high employability. Theoretically, teacher questions play an important role in fostering this thinking ability during classroom interaction. In reality, nevertheless, classroom questions are predominantly low-cognitive, rarely paying way for any development of critical thinking. In this regard, the purpose of the study is to shed light on how students view the use of questions in developing critical thinking, and their perspectives on useful support to answer high-ordered questions. The study involved seventy English-majored students at Van Lang University. Given the purpose of the study, quantitative research was used to collect data about students' perspectives through a questionnaire. The results showed that most students held positive attitudes toward using high-ordered questions, and they acknowledged the benefits these questions offer. In terms of suggestions, they highly valued a comfortable learning environment and group discussion as the most useful support.

This study aimed to analyze common syntactic errors found in the argumentative essays of third-year English major students at the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Van Lang University, Vietnam. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to obtain data in this study. The quantitative approach involved counting and calculating the frequency, percentage, and ranking of syntactic errors, while the qualitative method was adopted to explain these errors. The instrument for collecting data was argumentative essays written by 37 third-year English majors enrolling in Writing-5 at Van Lang University. Microsoft Word was used to collect and analyze syntactic errors and sentence structures, while Microsoft Excel was employed to calculate the frequency and rank of these errors and structures. The results found that the five most frequent errors in their essays were at the noun phrase and sentence levels. These errors included run-on sentences, preposition errors, article errors, sentence fragments, and pronoun errors. Through error analysis, it was indicated that the majority of errors made by students were due to the negative transfer from their first language and the literal translation. Based on the findings, language teachers and syllabus designers could use these results as guidance to design appropriate teaching methods and materials.

As a response to the status of English as an international language and lingua franca, the integration of local culture now becomes a new trend of teaching English, particularly in outer-circle countries. This review study is intended to give a better understanding of current practices of local culture integration in ELT and its impacts on learners' attitudes and engagement in Southeast Asia. The thematic approach was used to interpret the outcomes of the 25 selected articles. The results are reported in three synthesis statements, defining (1) the geographical spread of local cultural integration in the ELT in Southeast Asia, (2) the impact on learning attitudes and engagement, and (3) the practices of local cultural integration. By interpreting the results of the review, suggestions are made for teachers and researchers to pursue more diverse practices in integrating local culture since it offers a constructive attitude, high motivation, and good engagement in learning English.

Research on international students suggests they have a low sense of belonging at the U.S. institutions they attend. This study examined whether academic advisor's cultural empathy, advisor-advisee rapport, and international students' advising satisfaction influenced international students' perspectives of belonging to the institution. We further examined whether cultural empathy and advisor-advisee rapport mediated the effect of advising satisfaction on international students' sense of belonging. The cross-sectional quantitative study used a convenience sample of 209 international students enrolled in two institutions in the United States. Results indicated that cultural empathy and student advising satisfaction had a statistically significant influence on the sense of belonging, not advisor-advisee rapport, and cultural empathy mediated the effect of advising satisfaction on sense of belonging. We offered recommendations for institutions and academic advisors when working with international students.

Research has suggested that the type of feedback learners receive can impact on whether learners understand the feedback, the extent to which they engage with it, and whether they incorporate it in their revised drafts. However, to date, only a small number of studies have investigated learner engagement with corrective feedback provided by automated writing evaluation tools, and of those few have considered in greater depth the impact of the type of automated feedback on engagement. This multiple-case study examines two EFL learners' engagement with the two forms of corrective feedback provided by Criterion categorised as generic and specific and factors that can explain the nature of their engagement. Data were collected from learners' first and revised drafts of multiple essays on Criterion, screencasts of students' think-aloud procedures while revising essays, and stimulated recall interviews. Findings indicate the learners' higher uptake rate and more successful error corrections in response to generic versus specific feedback. However, their mental effort expenditure differed when cognitively engaging with the feedback, which could be explained in terms of individual learning goals, feedback quality, and the nature of tagged errors. These findings have relevant implications for utilising automated corrective feedback in L2 writing classes.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning has gained significant attention within the educational context of Vietnam. Nonetheless, there is a shared concern among educators about the effectiveness of the online platform that supports positive learning outcomes. To address this, the Connectivist Learning Environment (CLE), where learning activities were designed and aligned with connectivism theory, was introduced. This study explored whether or not the CLE helped develop the general pedagogical knowledge (GPK) of Vietnamese pre-service English teachers (PETs) and the possible factors that led to their GPK development. This study involved 40 pre-service English teachers at a university in Vietnam and 15 Vietnamese and foreign teachers of English. Data were collected through pre-tests, posttests, online reflective journals, an online survey, and a semi-structured interview. An independent paired sample t-test and repeated measures ANOVA were used to analyze quantitative data, while content analysis was used with qualitative data. The findings revealed that the GPK of pre-service English teachers is significantly higher after 9-weeks of participation. The participants stated that the CLE is a beneficial learning platform with various positive attributes. In addition to the theoretical and pedagogical implications, this study offers insights for future research studies.

While many Vietnamese students are reported to study abroad, the experiences of home-making among Vietnamese returning students are paid scant attention to in current research on Vietnamese international student mobility. Following a Heideggerian perspective on building and dwelling at home, this study explores the sense-making of home through conversations with 13 Vietnamese returning graduates. The analysis of the empirical material shows that home which is constructed and experienced by the returning graduates' use of intersecting materials is socially shared. It is an embodiment of returning migrants' engagement in the world with familiarity and discomfort created by their friction with the interrelated materialistic and discursive aspects of life. Their returns involve incomplete life happenings with diverse emotions and experiences of belonging. The findings of this study add nuance to the extant understanding of home as belonging and challenge the common conceptualization of home as a private space.

With more and more literature on international student mobility and migration (ISM), one area of focus has often been overlooked: the impacts of student visas and study permits. Examined through an institutionalist framework highlighting the influences of institutions on individuals and their agency, this study describes how visa and study permit policies pervades international students' lives in a variety of ways. Interview data collected from 40 international students who study in Australia, Canada, and the United States were analyzed to uncover themes from these host countries. Drawing on these interviews to outline the concept of ISM policy pervasion, the findings of this study show that visa policies affect international students in wide ranging ways. In addition to providing empirical evidence for ISM policy pervasion, this article also lays the groundwork for further studies that delve into the practical impacts of student visa and study permit policies around the world.

This qualitative study explored the possibility of implementing the happy school model (HSM) in the context of Vietnamese higher education, with a focus on the socio-cultural perspectives of nine tertiary English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers at different career stages. Through semi-structured interviews, thematic analysis, and theoretical underpinning by constructivist paradigm and humanistic education theory, the study illuminated multifaceted insights. Key themes emerged, including aligning the HSM with holistic student development, recognizing challenges and potential benefits, balancing traditional Confucian values, and adapting the model to Vietnam's unique socio-cultural and economic landscape. The findings provide valuable guidance for educational innovation in Vietnam, highlighting complexities of aligning a new educational paradigm with existing practices and cultural norms. While the study's focus on a specific cultural context and limited participant pool presents certain limitations, the insights offer rich contributions to the broader global dialogue on education and human development. Future research directions and practical implications are also discussed, making this study a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, and researchers interested in the intersection of universal educational principles and specific cultural contexts like Vietnam.

This study investigated how teachers perceived the benefits and difficulties of implementing a Lesson Study (LS) in the context of English language teaching at a university in Vietnam. The data were collected from six teachers through semi-structured interviews. To analyze the data, two addressing themes (teachers' perceived benefits and teachers' perceived difficulties) were focused on while implementing LS. The results generally showed that the teachers believed that LS brought them three benefits: encouraging teachers' exchange activities and helping them deepen knowledge of lesson content, understanding students' learning activities and working processes, and promoting teachers' motivation in pursuing their continuous professional development (CPD). Regarding teachers' perceived difficulties in LS implementation, they reported lacking confidence in actively implementing LS activities. Additionally, they had difficulties in time management and encountered problems reaching a consensus for joint work due to the influence of muti-faceted aspects. Accordingly, the study provides pedagogical implications for related stakeholders (teachers, students, and policymakers) regarding LS implementation issues contributing to the success of LS implementation in Vietnam and other similar contexts.

This study examines the perceptions and responses of Vietnamese teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) to academic integrity concerns that arise from the use of AI, specifically chatbots like ChatGPT, in foreign language education. The study employed an open-ended survey to collect data from 31 Vietnamese EFL teachers who were asked to share their views on AI-based academic dishonesty, identify perceived causes, outline consequences for students engaging in AI-based plagiarism, and articulate their pedagogical responses to the issue. The study found that teachers primarily attributed students' AI-driven plagiarism to a deficiency in original ideas, poor learning attitudes and motivation, and students' linguistic competencies. The over-reliance on AI was identified as a hindrance to the development of knowledge and skills such as critical thinking and language proficiency. In response to academic dishonesty, teachers advocated for increased regulations, the implementation of AI-based plagiarism detectors, and education on responsible AI use. The findings underscore the importance of adapting language teaching pedagogies and assessments to incorporate personalised learning and process-oriented teaching approaches that support critical thinking and genuine learning motivation. The insights derived from this research contribute to a deeper understanding of EFL educators' perspectives, offering valuable input for the development of policies and practices aimed at promoting academic integrity in the AI era. [Note: The page range (28-47) shown on the PDF is incorrect. The correct page range is 28-48.]

This phenomenological study seeks to explore the experiences of Vietnamese English-major graduates as they transition into out-of-expertise job roles in a globalized work environment. Drawing from a qualitative dataset gathered from 67 participants through semi-structured interviews, the research aimed to understand the perceived benefits, challenges, and emotional trajectories associated with such transitions. Key findings indicate that the majority of participants perceived their English proficiency as a significant advantage in diverse job markets. However, they also highlighted cultural challenges when adapting to global work settings, emphasizing the need to understand nuanced cultural norms beyond language proficiency. A recurrent theme was the perceived gap between the rich theoretical knowledge acquired during their academic tenure and its practical applicability in real-world job scenarios. Interestingly, participants also illuminated the unexpected interdisciplinary benefits of their English-major background, suggesting that their studies equipped them with valuable critical thinking and analytical skills. Issues of professional identity emerged strongly, with many participants expressing challenges in aligning their academic label with diverse job roles. Furthermore, the study highlights the profound emotional journey, from initial doubts to building resilience, as a significant aspect of these professional transitions.

This study investigates the cultural and language barriers faced by Lao students at Vietnamese universities of education and proposes solutions for enhancing their academic and social integration. We analyzed the experiences of 624 Lao students across eight major universities in Vietnam through online surveys and in-depth interviews employing a mixed-methods approach. This study revealed that Lao students face significant language and cultural challenges that manifest in difficulties with Vietnamese language proficiency and adaptation to the academic culture in Vietnam. Despite these challenges, support from the Vietnamese student and teacher communities plays a crucial role in their adaptation process. The research underscores the need for enhanced teaching methodologies and the development of robust support systems for international students highlighting the pivotal role of language and cultural support in improving the educational experiences of Lao students. Addressing the language and cultural barriers faced by Lao students is essential for fostering their successful integration and participation in the Vietnamese educational system. Enhanced language support and culturally sensitive pedagogical strategies are recommended to enhance the academic success and social integration of these students, thereby contributing to a more inclusive educational environment.

A comprehensive educational framework is provided by the Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate (CDIO) which is particularly relevant to engineering and applied sciences. This paper investigates the application of the CDIO approach in the field of chemistry pedagogy in Vietnam focusing on its adaptability to the current educational demands and its potential to enhance the competency of future teachers. The CDIO approach develops training curricula and outputstandards based on input from teachers,students, alumni and recruitment firms. This study uses the CDIO approach extensively with professional knowledge, social awareness and creative tendencies. The study involved a survey of 240 chemistry teachers and 242 students from various universities across Vietnam. Data were collected through online surveys using Google Forms and processed using SPSS software for statistical analysis. The research analyzed the alignment of practical teaching activities with CDIO standards and developed a framework for experimental practice competency. Findings indicated a robust implementation of the CDIO approach in chemistry pedagogy. In laboratory safety, experimental planning, execution and competence were high. The study shows that the CDIO strategy enhances professional competence and practical abilities in Vietnamese chemistry pedagogy students. It promotes collaboration and personal growth to meet changing educational needs. The CDIO approach could transform chemistry pedagogy in Vietnam suggesting science education reforms and capacity building.

The primary purpose of educational programs is to enhance students' knowledge and skills through pedagogical training activities. However, preschool teachers in Vietnam face limitations in their professional capacity. Thus, this study aimed to address issues by evaluating the level of implementation of pedagogical training activities for preschool education students. The study used a scale for students' pedagogical practice activities to gather quantitative data from 629 participants (managers, lecturers and preschool teachers) in Dong Thap province in Vietnam to assess the extent of implementation of pedagogical training activities for preschool education students. The results showed that preschool teachers may not possess the essential knowledge of pedagogical practices. Pedagogical training uses conventional work-and-activity techniques despite the fact that it prioritizes innovation. Moreover, all school managers, teachers and students recognized the necessity of developing the professional capacity of preschool teachers. These findings illustrate the critical need for revitalizing educational approaches that are consistent with Vietnam's developing preschool teacher professional development context. The present study proposes some measures to innovate pedagogical practice activities in order to meet the requirements for developing the professional capacity of preschool teachers in Vietnam. Such initiatives hold promise for reshaping the educational landscape and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the primary education sector of Vietnam.

This study aims to identify the elements that contribute to the digital competencies of primary school teachers working in the mountainous region of Northern Vietnam and assess the significance of these factors. The research sample consisted of 260 primary school teachers from this region. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and multivariate regression methods are used. The results of this research indicate that seven characteristics have a substantial impact on the digital abilities of teachers: ability to incorporate digital technology into teaching, conditions for digital transformation in teaching and learning activities are found to be influential, ability to create digital resources is highlighted as an important factor, ability to select teaching content with opportunities for technology usage, professional development needs of teachers, school policy and ability to select digital resources. These results offer education administrators a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing primary teachers' digital competencies and enable them to implement strategic changes and prioritize each element. Moreover, this study provides a valuable reference for future researchers seeking to explore new research directions in this field and analyze the correlation between factors to propose solutions to develop digital competencies of primary school teachers suitable to specific contexts and conditions.

This study explores the practical application of online applications in innovating the organization of teaching activities within public schools in Hue City, Vietnam. The research investigates the nuanced dynamics of execution and efficiency in using online applications across various teaching categories. The study employs a systematic approach to participant selection using stratified sampling based on geographical criteria to ensure representation from both the northern and southern regions of the city. A total of 192 teacher survey questionnaires were distributed focusing on the execution and efficiency of online applications in categories such as warm-up activities, knowledge building, review and consolidation, practice activities and testing and assessment. The commitment to data quality is demonstrated by the high response rate with 187 valid questionnaires collected (97.3% of the expected sample). Statistical analyses including mean scores, standard deviations and correlation coefficients were employed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the current state of online application integration in teaching activities. The findings reveal varying levels of execution and efficiency across different teaching categories emphasizing the need for targeted improvement strategies. Strong positive correlations were observed in specific categories such as practice activities highlighting a consistent association between effective execution and efficiency. The study contributes valuable insights to the discourse on technology integration in education, offering recommendations for teachers, administrators and policymakers seeking to optimize the impact of online applications on teaching practices in the Vietnamese educational context.

From a linguistic perspective it seems intuitive that a strong link would exist between the study of linguistics and critical thinking (CT). After all, linguistics is about making sense of language analysis, which contributes to the enhancement of CT while CT, in reciprocation, enables meaningful analysis. Yet this link has virtually never been clearly defined or made explicit either in studies on linguistics teaching and learning or in those on CT development. This paper explores the relationship between linguistics study and CT in the Vietnamese context from the perspectives of undergraduate English Linguistics students and their lecturers, with a view to improving both students' linguistics study and their CT. Drawing on data collected in questionnaires and interviews at a public university in Vietnam, the findings of the study reveal a variety of aspects of linguistics tasks and classroom activities where the link is significant as well as a range of specific CT skills and dispositions that are related to linguistics teaching and learning. In general, the students and the lecturers showed a positive attitude towards the integration of CT into linguistics teaching and learning, but challenges and barriers to this integration were identified. The study suggests the use of problem-solving tasks and open-ended questions for fostering the reciprocal relationship between linguistics study and CT.