Speaker
Description
While English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses in higher education often emphasize the acquisition of specialized vocabulary and disciplinary knowledge, less attention has been paid to how learners actively construct meaning from professional and academic texts. Drawing on Reader-Response Theory, which positions readers as active participants in the meaning-making process, this study investigates the potential of response-based pedagogy in an ESP course for non-English-major students at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV). Employing a qualitative case-study approach, the research explores students’ engagement with a range of discipline-related texts, including diplomatic speeches, policy commentaries, and international affairs reports. Data were collected through reflective journals, classroom observations, focus-group discussions, and students’ written responses to reading tasks. The findings indicate that reader-response activities encouraged students to connect textual content with their academic backgrounds, personal experiences, and perspectives on global issues. Such engagement contributed to greater motivation, deeper comprehension, enhanced critical thinking, and increased willingness to participate in classroom discussions. The study also reveals that collaborative interpretation and reflective dialogue supported the development of intercultural awareness and communicative competence, both of which are essential for future professionals in international contexts. The study discusses pedagogical implications for ESP practitioners seeking to foster learner agency and meaningful engagement with specialized English texts, and argues for a more dialogic and student-centered approach to ESP instruction in Vietnamese higher education.
Biography
Nguyen Viet Linh, MA., is a lecturer at the Faculty of Business English, Foreign Trade University, Vietnam, specializing in English applied language skills, American British Literature, and Cultures. Linh graduated from Foreign Trade University with a major in Business English and furthered his academic pursuits by obtaining a master’s degree in TESOL from Victoria University (Australia). Linh's scholarly endeavors encompass a diverse range of research interests, including English macro-skills, particularly reading, and writing skills. Moreover, Linh is deeply engaged in the exploration of American and British Literature and Cultures. Linh can be reached via email at linhnv@ftu.edu.vn. Feel free to get in touch with Linh to explore shared interests or discuss potential opportunities.
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