Speakers
Description
This study investigates students’ readiness for learning through English in an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) context, in light of Vietnam’s transition toward using English as a Second Language (ESL) in higher education. The study was conducted with 93 first-year students enrolled in a high-quality program at a Vietnamese university, where English is used as the primary medium of instruction. At the time of the study, the participants were taking an ESP course, Business Communication in English. Data were collected through a questionnaire focusing on students’ perceived readiness, learning difficulties, and support needs in this ESP classroom. The findings reveal that while students generally demonstrate a relatively high level of readiness, particularly in terms of comprehension and confidence, they continue to experience notable challenges. These include difficulties in understanding discipline-specific vocabulary, following lectures delivered at a natural pace, and expressing ideas effectively in English. A gap between comprehension and productive skills is also evident. In addition, students report a strong need for simplified explanations, vocabulary support, and the use of learning tools such as translation and artificial intelligence-based applications. These findings suggest that exposure to English-medium learning alone does not necessarily ensure students’ readiness for the broader transition to ESL, highlighting the need for more targeted pedagogical support to support students’ engagement with academic English.
Biography
Đỗ Hạnh Dung is a lecturer at the Faculty of English, Foreign Trade University (FTU). She holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics and specializes in TESOL and English language teaching. Her research interests include English for Specific Purposes (ESP), English-medium learning, and the integration of technology in language education. She is particularly interested in pedagogical practices that enhance learner engagement, autonomy, and digital competence in higher education contexts.
Phạm Thị Mai is a lecturer at the Faculty of English, Foreign Trade University (FTU). She earned her Ph.D. in Linguistics and is actively involved in teaching and research in English linguistics and educational linguistics. Her work focuses on English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and English-medium learning in higher education. Recently, she has developed a growing interest in the integration of technologies and AI-powered tools into language teaching and learning, with an emphasis on enhancing student engagement and academic communication skills.
Trần Thị Trung Hiếu is a lecturer at the Faculty of English, Foreign Trade University (FTU). She holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics and specializes in TESOL and English language teaching. Her research interests include English for Specific Purposes (ESP), English-medium learning, and pedagogical practices that enhance learner engagement and autonomy in higher education.
Phạm Thị Thu Giang is currently teaching at the Faculty of English for Specific Purposes, Foreign Trade University (FTU). She obtained her Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Victoria University, Australia. Her teaching practice centers on English for Specific Purposes (ESP), with a focus on Business Correspondence and Contract Language. Her academic interests lie in ESP pedagogy, English-medium learning, and approaches that facilitate students’ effective communication in professional and academic settings.
| Affiliate type | Vietnamese public school |
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