An evaluation of English non-majored freshmen’s attitude towards EFL learning at Can Tho University of Technology

Authors

  • Thien Quynh Tran Tran Can Tho University of Technology
  • Thi Minh Nguyet Nguyen Can Tho University of Technology
  • Thu Thuy Luu Can Tho University of Technology
  • Thi Bich Ngan Pham Can Tho University of Technology

Keywords:

English language attitude; teacher; English non-majored freshmen

Abstract

Globalization has brought not only opportunities but also challenges to English teaching and learning. In the context of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, teaching English for non-majored students still faces lots of challenges due to several factors. The present study aims to shed light on factors affecting English non-majored freshmen's language attitude towards EFL learning at Can Tho University of Technology (CTUT). Questionnaires were delivered to 662 English non-majored freshmen, and interviews were conducted with 29 students and 6 English teachers. The results showed that both students and teachers emphasized the significance of EFL learning and teaching in a globalized world. Although the students have acknowledged the importance of the English language, they did not show high motivation in EFL learning. The results also showed that learning materials, lecturers, and peers were positive factors, whereas home learning environment, personality and habits, and interests negatively affected English non-majored freshmen's attitude. Additionally, the results also indicated students' preference and appreciation for lecturers' related-factors, whereas the teachers denoted that most of the students showed negative attitudes in their EFL learning. From these findings, several approaches were discussed in order to enhance students' English language attitude, resulting in improving students' outcomes in EFL learning at CTUT.

Author Biographies

  • Thien Quynh Tran Tran, Can Tho University of Technology

    Tran Thien Quynh Tran is an English lecturer at Can Tho University of Technology. She has been teaching English at Can Tho University of Technology since 2007, in charge of teaching English for English majored-students and General English for non-majored students. Tran obtained her Ph.d in Social and Behavioural Sciences from Leiden University, The Netherlands in 2018. In her doctoral research, she examined the impact of cultural differences on communication and relationship between Western and Vietnamese professionals in foreign subsidiaries and joint-ventures in the South of Vietnam. Based on this examination, an intercultural lesson incorporated into the English Language Teaching classrooms was formulated in order to enhance the undergraduates’ communication skills so that they could work effectively with the Western higher managers in their future jobs. Tran has had experiences in doing social research in both quantitative and qualitative approaches.

  • Thi Minh Nguyet Nguyen, Can Tho University of Technology

    Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet is Deputy Head of English Department, English lecturer at Can Tho University of Technology. She has been teaching English since 2004, in charge of teaching English for English majored-students and General English for non-majored students. She obtained her Master Degree in English Language Education Pedagogies from Can Tho University in 2010 with the thesis entitled “The effects of teaching conversational strategies through video clips”. Minh Nguyet also had experiences in doing research in Teaching Methodologies.

  • Thu Thuy Luu, Can Tho University of Technology

    Luu Thu Thuy is Dean of Faculty of Basic Sciences, English lecturer at Can Tho University of Technology. She has been teaching English at Can Tho University of Technology since 1998, in charge of teaching English for English majored-students and General English for non-majored students. She obtained her Master Degree in Master of Arts in Teaching English from Ho Chi Minh University of Social Sciences and Humanities in 2008 with the thesis entitled “Evaluation on the reading textbook Level-A used at the Foreign Language Center of Can Tho In-service University”.

  • Thi Bich Ngan Pham, Can Tho University of Technology

    Pham Thi Bich Ngan is Vice Dean of Faculty of Basic Sciences, English lecturer at Can Tho University of Technology. She has been teaching English at Can Tho University of Technology since 1995, in charge of teaching English for English majored-students and General English for non-majored students. She obtained her Master Degree in Master of Arts in Teaching English from Ho Chi Minh University of Social Sciences and Humanities in 2009 with the thesis entitled “The reliability of the English Level - A written test contents at the Foreign Language Center of Can Tho In-service University”.

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Published

11-08-2021

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2021): August 2021, Volume 1, Issue 2

Section

Research Article

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How to Cite

Tran, T. Q. T., Nguyen, T. M. N., Luu, T. T., & Pham, T. B. N. (2021). An evaluation of English non-majored freshmen’s attitude towards EFL learning at Can Tho University of Technology. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 1(2), 72-98. https://i-jte.org/index.php/journal/article/view/35