Speaker
Description
This study investigates the influence of Confucian values on the communication styles of Vietnamese English-major students and examines how their experiences with learning English may contribute to changes in communicative behaviors and cultural identity. Situated within the context of globalization and increasing intercultural interaction, the research aims to explore the complex interplay between traditional cultural norms and the communicative demands of English as an international language. A mixed-methods approach is employed, beginning with a questionnaire distributed to English-major students at a university in the Mekong Delta to identify general trends in cultural perceptions and communicative adaptation. This is followed by semi-structured interviews offering deeper insights into students’ experiences and opinions on improving cross-cultural communication. Preliminary expectations suggest that Confucian values such as hierarchy, modesty, and indirectness still significantly shape students' communication. However, exposure to English encourages more open, assertive interaction styles. The study highlights the importance of culturally responsive pedagogy and offers practical recommendations for improving English instruction to better equip students for effective and adaptive communication in global contexts.
Biography
Nguyen Thi Tu My is a graduate student in English Linguistics at Can Tho University. She previously earned her Bachelor’s degree in English Language, majoring in Translation and Interpreting, from the same institution. In addition to her academic pursuits, she has experience teaching English to learners of various age groups and currently works remotely as a specialist for a law firm based in the United States. The combination of her academic background, teaching experience, and involvement in a multicultural working environment has provided her with a practical and multidimensional perspective on language and intercultural communication.
Her academic interests lie in applied linguistics, intercultural communication, and the relationship between language and culture in the process of learning and using a foreign language. She is particularly interested in the challenges English learners face when adapting their communication styles, as well as the role of language education in preparing learners for real-world communication.
Through her research presented at this conference, she hopes to share new insights, learn from fellow researchers, and further develop her expertise to make meaningful contributions to English language education and research in Vietnam.
