Speakers
Description
Over the past two decades, the development of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) programs has gained rapid momentum in Vietnamese higher education institutions, leading to immeasurable benefits for students in terms of higher language proficiency, improved professional communication skills and better career prospects. However, a large proportion of instructors in business programs are still underprepared in many aspects of EMI education due to a lack of specialized training and cultural factors. Through this qualitative study which includes a questionnaire survey and interviews of 20 faculty members and five administrators in Hanoi University of Industry, the authors identified the key areas of weaknesses in the university’s regime of teacher training including language proficiency, EMI pedagogy, feedback and assessment, disciplinary communication skills as well as material development. The study also proposed several short-term and long-term measures to improve the overall quality of teachers’ training to improve their preparedness for EMI education, namely: enhanced institutional support, comprehensive in-service training (language and pedagogical skills), peer observation and feedback, resource development for curriculum design.
Keyword: EMI, teacher training, business majors, higher education
Biography
Tran Viet Kien completed the MTESOL program in Hanoi University - Victoria University in 2017. He is currently working as a specialist in the Department of Academic Affairs, Hanoi University of Industry, His responsibilities include educational program development and teacher training. He has had 10 years of working experience in higher education, including 6 years as an EFL teacher mostly for business major students. Between 2016 and 2022, he engaged in various course design efforts at HaUI, with a focus on blended learning courses for English for Occupational Purposes (EOP) programs. Kien is a co-author of three English currently in use for students at Hanoi University of Industry, including Business English 5, Business English 4 and English for Information Technology 4.
In 2023 and 2024, Tran Viet Kien presented two papers in the International Conference on English for Occupational Purposes on EOP course outcomes and using case studies in EMI courses.
His research interests include authentic materials, blended learning, curriculum and materials development; English as a medium of instruction; and teacher training.
Nguyen Viet Hang is presently a lecturer at the English Language Faculty, School of Languages and Tourism - Hanoi University of Industry in Vietnam. In 2020, she completed her Master's degree in English Studies from Hanoi University, after attaining two Bachelor's degrees in English Language Teacher Education and Banking - Finance. Her research interests span blended learning, program development and evaluation, TESOL, and EMI, reflecting a sincere commitment to the advancement of pedagogical practices.
