Assessing the Learning Environment in an EFL Classroom with International Students: A Case Study of a University in Vietnam

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.