Speaker
Description
This study explores ELT teachers’ perceptions of the shift from English as a Foreign Language (EFL) to English as a Second Language (ESL) in Vietnam higher education, focusing on how the perceptions arise from different stages of ESL adoption. Qualitative approach using in-depth interviews, and a focus group discussion are adopted with participants who have experienced ESL teaching and those in the early stage of ESL deployment to capture diverse perspectives from different institutional contexts. This design evolves a source of thick data of not only anticipated but experienced realities for deep comparative analysis of the pre and post ESL implementation. The findings reveal that although teachers indicate positive attitude toward the shift to the use of ESL, different contextual factors such as teachers’ professional competences, students’ English language proficiency, institutional conditions, socio - cultural environment and policy ambiguity are the significant barriers, warning of an implementation gap. The study contributes to the literature on ESL transition policy implementation in Viet Nam higher education and provides more insight into educational reform regarding ESL contexts. It implies that the EFL - ESL transition is a meaningful but challenging journey involving not only pedagogical reform but also broader contextual innovation, requiring effective teacher development and context-sensitive ESL policy design.
Key terms: EFL- ESL transition, teachers’ perceptions
Biography
Author:
Dr. Hồ Thị Phùng Duyên is a lecturer in the Faculty of Foreign Languages at the College of Foreign Economic Relations (COFER), Vietnam. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Theory and Methodology of English Language Teaching from University of Foreign Languages and International Studies, Hue University, Viet Nam and obtained a master’s degree in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Victoria University, Australia.
With over 26 years of experience in English language education, Dr. Hồ has also served for 15 years as Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages at COFER. Her professional interests and publications include English Language Teaching (ELT) theory and methodology, curriculum development, test bank design, student motivation, and intercultural communication in ELT contexts.
Co-author:
Dr. Phạm Hòa Hiệp is a Vietnamese TESOL educator, writer, and language consultant. He holds a Doctor of Education from the University of Melbourne and a master’s degree in applied Linguistics from the University of Massachusetts Boston. He has taught English in Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand, and is currently based at the Waikato Institute of Education. Alongside his academic work, he works as an independent language consultant specializing in the life sciences. His expertise includes translation, localization, and linguistic validation, and he has collaborated with international clients such as RWS Life Sciences, ICON plc, and TransPerfect. Dr. Phạm has published extensively in the fields of English language education, translation, localization and technology.
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