Speaker
Description
The study aims to analyze Vietnamese English majors’ perceptions of American family values after watching the movie and then analyzing the communication patterns portrayed in The Godfather. By employing a Qualitative research design, the study purposely selected five students for semi-structured interviews, followed by thematic analysis to identify key perceptions regarding family loyalty, respect for hierarchy and patriarchy, and family unity and solidarity. The research further explores how the students interpret the film’s depiction of these values, their perceived similarities and differences with Vietnamese family traditions, and the factors shaping their interpretations. The findings of this study suggest that films can serve as effective tools for enhancing cross-cultural understanding in EFL education, while also revealing the complexities of cultural perception which include both alignment and divergence in interpreting cinema representations of family values.
Keywords: American family values, The Godfather, movie culture, student perceptions, Vietnamese English majors.
Biography
Recently, I graduated from Can Tho University with a degree in English Studies. While studying, I kept wondering how to make learning English and understanding the cultures of English-speaking countries more fun and meaningful. As someone who’s always been in love with cinematography and working behind the camera as a director of photography, I had an idea: why not combine both of my passions? And so I did it. For my graduation thesis, I conducted a study that lets English students learn through movies. By watching films from English-speaking countries, students could explore cultural elements, build stronger analytical skills, and also share their own interpretations. What surprised me was how much they enjoyed it; laughing, discussing, connecting with each other, and learning without it feeling like a typical classroom activity. It turned out to be a fun, engaging, and eye-opening way to study language and culture, and I’m really happy with how it turned out.
