VIETTESOL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION 2025

A study conducted by Mitchell R. Bradford Jr. (Doctorate student at the University of St Andrews) in 2024 amongst 100+ teachers and 500+ students of EAP at 20+ transnational universities in China explored some of the challenges they face. One area which warranted attention was AI, with findings showing that there are concerns about students using it too much to complete assignments and using...

This study investigates how ESL teachers at a university in Vietnam integrate AI tools—ChatGPT and ELSA—into their instruction of speaking and pronunciation to non-English major university students. As AI becomes increasingly common in language classrooms, educators face the dual challenge of leveraging technological efficiency while maintaining their pedagogical presence. Grounded in...

In an era where AI technologies are rapidly reshaping education, English language teachers often face uncertainty about how or whether to engage with tools like ChatGPT. This interactive workshop challenges the narrative of replacement by reframing AI as a partner in teacher growth. Grounded in Shulman’s framework of teacher knowledge (1987), this interactive workshop explores how ChatGPT can...

As generative AI tools become more capable of designing lesson plans, creating assessments, and delivering personalised language input, TESOL professionals face an essential question: what will distinguish effective human teachers in the AI era? This presentation introduces the H.U.M.A.N. framework, which highlights five core qualities that define irreplaceable human...

This workshop presents an experiential approach to English language teaching through the English Fair model implemented in Thai Nguyen City between 2017 and 2025. The model integrates creative activities such as artistic performances, themed conversation corners, film dubbing contest, team-based 21st - century skills games, and project-based learning for primary and lower-secondary students....

Vocabulary is essential in learning a new language. It really helps learners to learn grammar as well as understanding contexts in reading, listening and speaking. If they don't understand the meaning of the words in a text, they find it difficult to read and comprehend it. Students of all ages have better reading comprehension when they have a strong vocabulary. Students' comprehension of the...

Dramatic world changes in recent years have contributed to the significant increase in today’s teen anxiety crisis, social pressure, and emotional complexity. World Health Organization (2024) reported that teenagers may become more vulnerable to mental health issues as a result of emotional and social changes. Thus, promoting social-emotional learning (SEL) in language classrooms is crucial...

In the era of digital transformation and global integration, the dominance of social media in modern student life demands a reevaluation of traditional teaching methods in higher education. Among digital platforms, TikTok has emerged as a favorite among youth due to its short-form, dynamic, and engaging video format. This presents a unique opportunity for English language educators to explore...

In the era of globalization and rapid technological advancement, language education must go beyond grammar and vocabulary to cultivate essential 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication. Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) and Project-Based Language Teaching (PBLT) have emerged as effective approaches that align with these educational...

Critical thinking in a more globalized world is an essential competence that allows EFL learners to engage in international communication, solve real issues of the world, and contribute to sustainable development. This workshop aims to provide EFL teachers with useful and applicable strategies for integrating critical thinking into language teaching, building both language skills and global...

While English-speaking clubs have long served as a complementary platform for language learners, participants often remain passive, limiting the potential for meaningful engagement. As a result, learning outcomes tend to mirror those of traditional classroom settings. This workshop introduces a model in which club members gradually take on leadership roles in planning and facilitating...

This paper reports on a cross-country collaboration between teacher educators from the UK and Vietnam in supporting 135 English language teachers in Huế and Bến Tre to work in teacher activity groups (TAGs). Grounded in the core reflection approach to teacher learning (Korthagen & Nuijten, 2022) and British Council’s Continuous Professional Development (CPD) framework, the project aims to...

Vocabulary taught in isolation often fails to stick. In our teaching across public secondary schools and English centres, we have observed that students, especially teenagers, struggle to retain and apply new vocabulary when learning from disconnected word lists. They need engaging and sustainable ways to develop lexical competence for both academic and everyday communication.
This...

The purpose of this research is to examine how affects the independence of learners at a Vietnamese university who are studying English. The study uses a combined research strategy, incorporating both a questionnaire completed by the participants themselves and interviews. This allows for the gathering of information on the students' opinions, viewpoints, and interactions with when it's...

Getting student's attention in a class can be one of the most challenging things for a teacher. There is one method that works for sure: keep Them Moving! In this workshop, the presenters show a variety of active strategies teachers can use in order students learn and practice vocabulary, grammar, writing, speaking,and listening in a fun way.

Giving clear and effective instructions is essential for successful teaching. It helps students understand their tasks, stay focused, and achieve their learning goals. This workshop is designed to provide educators with practical strategies for delivering clear and flexible instructions that suit different types of learners. The session will focus on how tone, body language, and other...

There is no denying that there are quite a few English classes where learners feel rather unmotivated to engage in tasks or activities. There are, however, a few pedagogical techniques and practical tips where we teachers can create materials which would pique learners' curiosity continuously, challenge them appropriately, and upgrade their competence systematically. These are what we will...

This initiative explores the integration of storytelling into English language classrooms to enhance vocabulary acquisition, communication, listening, reading, and writing skills among primary school students. Recognizing the limitations of traditional rote learning methods, the project applies storytelling as a dynamic and engaging teaching strategy that mirrors natural language acquisition....

This workshop explores the use of recycled packaging as authentic learning material, enhanced with the application of mind maps as an innovative, sustainability-integrated approach to boost lexical competence for EFL learners.
By utilizing authentic resources such as user guides, plastic packaging, and product labels as vocabulary-rich lessons, learners engage in reading product information,...

According to globally released IELTS data for 2023-2024, speaking received the lowest average score for Vietnamese test-takers.

Tutoring is an effective means to address this due to in-depth relationships formed between tutors and students, identifying issues then tailoring educational interventions. While most cannot have unlimited access to 1:1 speaking tutoring, increasing numbers can...

Storytelling is widely known as an effective method for teaching English to young language learners. It offers numerous benefits, including enhancing learners' language knowledge, skills, pragmatic understanding, and social abilities (Cameron, 2001; Davies, 2007; Ellis & Brewster, 2014). Despite these advantages, many teachers remain hesitant to implement storytelling due to challenges such as...