Proceedings of The 6th International Conference on Advanced Research in Education
Year: 2023
DOI:
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Improving English Language Proficiency And Intercultural Competence: Opportunities and Challenges for English Language Teacher Education Students in Vietnam
Dr. Thi Phuong Lan Nguyen
ABSTRACT:
The English Language Teacher Education (ELTE) in Vietnam is developed significantly to meet the new requirements in the internationalized and globalized era. Vietnamese Government has placed great investments in innovating curriculum, pedagogy, assessments, and standards. The government also requires the tertiaries to improve teaching and learning materials and teachers’ professional development. ELTE undergraduates show more confidence of entering the domestic teaching contexts while appear to be challenged in places where require higher language proficiency and intercultural competences. This paper is to explore how the ELTE curriculum prepares students with those essential skills. A mix-method study with a survey, interviews and policy analysis was conducted across the eleven representatives of ELTE programs in Vietnam. The significant findings show an increasing level of preparation for language proficiency across institutions, but still a large number of students cannot achieve the required standards. The findings also demonstrate a poor preparation for intercultural knowledge and skills. These shortcomings are considered to be caused by limited numbers of courses related to cultures or intercultures. They are also perceived as a result of students’ reluctance of cultural courses while they placed more focus on English language proficiency skills. The paper offers recommendations to revise curricula and to provide educators with more professional development programs so as to prepare students with the required skills. These findings and recommendations are not only helpful to students and lecturers but also to other stakeholders involved. The findings can also be applicable to neighboring countries who share similar ELTE conditions and inspiration for developing this industry.
keywords: culture, English language, preparation, skills, standards