Speaker
Description
This study explores the impact of portfolio writing on the development of academic skills among third-year English-majored students in a content-based course titled American Culture and Society. The course integrates language practice and content learning, emphasizing critical reading, academic writing, and research skills. Portfolios were used as weekly essay assignments, requiring students to write reflective and analytical responses to cultural topics discussed in class over a 17-week semester. Employing an action research approach, the study involved 30 students and utilized learner reflection notes and instructor’s observation logs as data sources. Findings indicate that portfolio writing significantly improved students’ English writing skills—particularly in vocabulary use, idea organization, and use of idiomatic expressions. Moreover, students reported enhanced reading comprehension and a deeper understanding of American cultural issues. The portfolio process also fostered research-related competencies, including information synthesis and source evaluation. The study suggests that integrating portfolio writing into content courses can effectively support both language development and academic skill-building.
Biography
Dr. Ngo Phuong Anh is specialized in Applied Linguistics. She had her Ph.D. degree in Applied Linguistics at the University of Reading, England in 2012. Her research interests are concerned with English language teaching and learning, language testing and assessment, general English linguistics. She supervises M.A and PhD research in the areas of teaching pedagogy, materials development and evaluation and so on.
