China Education

Trends in Teaching and Learning English in Vietnam: Implications for the Future Dr. Lillian Utsumi & Dr. Doan Thi Nam-Hau CHEER for Viet Nam - Traversing Borders: Viet Nam Teacher Program Abstract In this paper, researchers Doan and Utsumi present the results of a study, using mixed methods that examined current teaching methods and practices in English language teaching. Spanning five major universities in Vietnam, data were collected from multiple sources, including focus groups, interviews, classroom observation, and questionnaires. Results show a shift in teaching and learning practices, challenges to managing system changes, and perceptions of staffing and resource shortages, including financing. The researchers and workshop participants will explore the implications of this study in light of MOET‘s Education Plan to accelerate and improve the teaching and learning of English in Vietnam as one of several pathways for economic equity in the global community. This paper discusses the results of a 2008 study on a compilation of English language teaching (ELT) practices at the university level in Vietnam. Conference Paper Limitations For the purposes of this presentation, we present only the research methods and summary of combined findings. An Executive Summary of the full research report will be posted on the CHEER (Culture, Health, Education, and Environment Resources) website, www.cheerforvietnam.org. CHEER, the sponsoring organization for this study, is a non-profit organization based in the United States. One of CHEER‘s major educational activities is Traversing Borders: Viet Nam Teacher Training Program (VTTP). The objectives of VTTP workshops are to improve the quality of English language instruction (ELT), to provide participants with first-hand experiences and opportunities to apply best practices in ELT to their own classrooms, to promote teacher collaboration and leadership, and to deepen cross-cultural understanding between the Vietnamese and American

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