Speaker
Description
This study evaluates the appropriateness of the faculty-made “English Book for Pharmaceutical Students” by analyzing its pedagogical complexity and gathering feedback from current users. The research utilizes two primary assessment methods: a detailed readability and terminology analysis of the textbook’s units and a survey of 26 pharmaceutical students regarding their learning experience.
The text difficulty analysis reveals a significant disparity in complexity across the curriculum, with levels ranging from B1 (Easy) to C2 (Very Difficult). Unit 9 is identified as the most challenging, as it requires deep knowledge of molecular mechanisms and features complex sentence structures often exceeding 40 words. Additionally, Units 2 and 6 are noted for having an excessive density of specialized terminology that can overwhelm students within a single lesson. Feedback from the 26 surveyed students, the majority of whom possess an English proficiency below B1 level, indicates that while they value the rich technical vocabulary and professional relevance, the content density is often too heavy for their language skills. Students frequently describe the reading texts as long and “dry” and cite a critical lack of visual aids, diagrams, and answer keys for self-study. To improve the textbook's effectiveness, the study recommends splitting terminology-heavy units and incorporating instructional videos, online tools (such as flashcards or quizzes), and real-life pharmacy communication scenarios. While the textbook provides a strong technical foundation, it requires restructuring and the addition of interactive elements to better support students with varying levels of English proficiency.
Biography
Son was born on December 12, 1982, in Thai Binh province. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and a Master’s degree in English Linguistics from Hanoi University. His academic background is firmly grounded in applied linguistics, with a strong focus on English for Specific Purposes (ESP), particularly in medical and pharmaceutical contexts.
Since 2010, Son has been teaching English for medical and pharmaceutical disciplines at Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy. His research interests center on curriculum development and evaluation for specialized English training, as clearly demonstrated in his Master’s thesis entitled “Evaluating English for Pharmaceutical Majors at Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy.”
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Son has been an active contributor to academic and professional communities. He has published research articles in national journals such as Education and Society and has presented at VIETTESOL conferences on topics including learner autonomy and online teaching methodologies. He is also a co-author of several specialized textbooks, notably English for Pharmaceutical Sciences and English for Preventive Medicine, along with accompanying workbooks that are widely used in his institution.
Beyond his core expertise, Son possesses additional qualifications in programming, French (B1 level), and political theory. Currently holding the position of Lecturer Rank 1, he is deeply motivated to further his academic development through doctoral training, with the long-term goal of contributing more substantially to ESP research and higher education in Vietnam
| Affiliate type | Vietnamese public school |
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