Quang Thao Le (Van Lang University, Vietnam)
Huy Cuong Nguyen (Van Lang University, Vietnam)
Thi Ngoc Diep Le (Van Lang University, Vietnam)
Abstract
Earlier studies have explored how a mother tongue (L1) can affect second/foreign language (L2) learning both negatively and positively, with numerous studies focusing on L1 influences on English language skills, namely listening, writing, reading, and speaking. However, there is limited research on L1's role in English linguistics classrooms. In this research, we aimed to understand stakeholders’ experiences with and perspectives on how Vietnamese as an L1 can enable students’ learning of English phonology, a compulsory course in their English program. 238 English majors completed a 5-point Likert questionnaire, and we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with six English phonology teachers and eight students from a university in Vietnam. We found that judicious use of Vietnamese could enhance students’ motivation, classroom involvement, and comprehension of English phonological concepts. We emphasize the importance of L1 in L2 classrooms, advocating for a bilingual approach in English education, particularly in complex linguistics courses.
Research (in person, 25 minutes)
Content-Based Instruction / EMI / CLIL
Primarily of interest to teachers of university students
About the Presenters
Le Quang Thao is an English lecturer at a university in Vietnam, conducting lectures on linguistics and teaching English language skills. He obtained his MA degree in applied linguistics from Curtin University, Australia. He is currently a PhD student in English language studies at Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand. His research interests include global Englishes, English education, and language ideologies.
Nguyen Huy Cuong is an English lecturer at Van Lang University, Vietnam. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Open University Malaysia. Over the past eight years, he has taught various subjects, including English skills, linguistics, and English for specific purposes. His research interests focus on English language teaching, teacher professionalism, teacher emotions, and computer-assisted language learning.
Le Thi Ngoc Diep has worked as an English teacher at a private university in Vietnam. She gained an MA degree in TESOL from Canberra University, Australia. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD program at Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand. Her research interests focus on the quality of teaching and learning English, cross-cultural pragmatics, and curriculum design.
