Speakers
Description
Understanding and measuring student workload in higher education is essential for informing effective curriculum development and supporting student success. However, the accurate assessment of workload remains complex, as it encompasses both contact hours and independent learning, shaped by various pedagogical and institutional factors. This study investigates student workload in an English major program at a public university in Ho Chi Minh City, using a mixed-methods approach that combines both quantitative and qualitative data. The research tools include desk-based workload estimations, end-of-semester questionnaires with 80 students and 8 academics, 68 student-maintained weekly logbooks, and a focus group discussion with 20 students. The findings reveal key influences on perceived workload, such as course structure, instructional strategies, and assessment design. Notably, there is a marked disparity between students’ reported workload and faculty expectations, suggesting the need for more student-centered workload planning. Drawing on cross-institutional comparisons, the study explores how integrating systematic workload assessment into curriculum development can enhance educational quality, promote equity, and foster student well-being. Recommendations are proposed to help institutions align academic demands with realistic student capacities, contributing to more sustainable and responsive higher education practices.
Biography
Le Minh Ha is a lecturer and head of Linguistics, Culture and Literature Department at the Faculty of Foreign Languages – Technical Education, Nong Lam University of Ho Chi Minh City.
His interests are students’ workload, learning autonomy, critical thinking, and student-centered approach.
His publication: The Application of Critical Thinking to Short Story Analysis: An Experiment on a New Teaching Process_ https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.23325
He was a member of the Nong Lam University team joining CALOHEA Project (Measuring and Comparing Achievements of Learning Outcomes in Higher Education in Asia), aiming at contributing to the internationalization of higher education institutions.
