Speakers
Description
This study investigates first-year students’ perceptions and utilization of generative artificial intelligence (AI) within English language learning at a prominent teacher training university in Vietnam. As AI technologies become increasingly integrated into educational contexts, there is a critical need to examine students’ lived experiences and the ethical dilemmas they encounter, particularly in Southeast Asian settings, where empirical research remains limited. Employing a mixed-methods design, the research surveyed 164 students to analyze patterns of AI use, levels of awareness regarding academic integrity, and concerns related to ethical boundaries. Complementary in-depth interviews provided nuanced insights into students’ reasoning and experiences with AI in academic tasks.
Findings reveal a spectrum of attitudes: while many students recognize the pedagogical benefits of generative AI for learning and academic support, others report confusion or inappropriate usage, often attributed to the absence of explicit institutional guidelines. The study identifies a pronounced gap in ethical training and policy, resulting in inconsistent and, at times, problematic practices. By foregrounding students’ authentic experiences, this research underscores the urgent need for comprehensive ethics education, transparent institutional policies, and targeted teacher training to promote responsible AI use. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on digital transformation in education and offer actionable recommendations for universities in Vietnam and comparable contexts as they navigate the evolving landscape of generative AI.
Keywords: generative AI, academic integrity, English language education, student perceptions, higher education, Vietnam
Biography
Dr Cao Thị Hồng Phương obtained a PhD in Applied Linguistics and an M.A in TESOL from Victoria of Wellington, New Zealand. Phuong has won many scholarships for her life-long learning, including ASEAN Scholarship, and Vitoria Doctoral Scholarship.
She curently works as a teacher trainer at Hanoi National University of Education. She has also taught in Academic English in New Zealand and Singapore. Phuong’s research includes language curriculum development, textbook evaluation, and language assessment, with publications in Asian Englishes, Asian Applied Linguistics, and Asia TEFL. She has authored book chapters with Routledge and IGI Global and frequently presents at international conferences in TESOL and Applied Linguistics.
