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The Effectiveness of the Duolingo Platform in Vocabulary Retention and EFL Young Learners’ Attitudes: Evidence from a Private English Center in Vietnam

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This article investigates the effectiveness of Duolingo in supporting vocabulary retention among young EFL learners and examines their attitudes toward its use. Employing a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design with a quasi-experimental pre-test/ post-test control group framework, the study was conducted over a 12-week intervention period with 60 learners aged 10 to 11 (CEFR Level A2) at a private English center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The experimental group (n = 30) used Duolingo as a supplementary after-school vocabulary tool for approximately 30 minutes per day while the control group (n = 30) received conventional classroom-based instruction only. Quantitative data were collected through researcher-designed parallel-form vocabulary tests and a 25-item Likert-scale questionnaire grounded in the Affective-Behavioral-Cognitive (ABC) attitude model. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with ten selected participants. Paired-samples t-tests revealed that the experimental group achieved a statistically significant mean gain of 0.97 points (t = -13.760, p < .001), approximately double that of the control group (0.50 points; t = -6.412, p < .001), despite equivalent baselines. Questionnaire findings indicated strongly positive attitudes across all three ABC dimensions, with particularly high agreement on enjoyment (90%), motivation (88%) and vocabulary transfer to communicative contexts (93.6%). Interview data corroborated these findings with experimental group learners describing spaced repetition, multimodal input and gamified rewards as key factors supporting retention and engagement. These findings suggest that Duolingo, when implemented as a structured and monitored supplementary tool, can meaningfully enhance vocabulary retention and foster positive learning attitudes among young EFL learners.

Utilization of Maternal and Child Health Books among Pregnant Women: Which Factors Have the Greatest Influence?

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The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) book is an important medium for improving pregnant women’s knowledge and awareness of maternal and fetal health. However, several health centers still report low MCH book ownership among pregnant women, including Kuala Lempuing Health Center (52.55%) and Anggut Atas Health Center (77.92%). This study aimed to identify factors influencing the utilization of MCH books among pregnant women and to determine the most dominant factor. This descriptive analytic study used a cross-sectional design. It was conducted from June 8 to June 18, 2025, in the working areas of Kuala Lempuing and Anggut Atas Health Centers, Bengkulu City. The study involved all 70 eligible pregnant women in their second and third trimesters through total sampling. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires, and secondary data were obtained from relevant records. The results showed significant associations between MCH book utilization and knowledge (p < 0.001), attitude (p < 0.001), and family support (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that family support was the most dominant factor (p = 0.001; OR = 10.800). These findings highlight the importance of family involvement and the role of health care providers in delivering health education and social support to optimize MCH book utilization.

The Influence of Public Sphere, Perceived Usefulness, and Trust on Mobile Payment Intention with Attitude as a Mediating Variable

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The objective of this study is to understand the social and psychological factors that influence user intentions and attitudes in using mobile payment services in Indonesia. This study examines the influence of Public Sphere, Perceived Usefulness, and Trust on user attitudes and intentions, as well as the role of Attitude as a mediating variable.  A quantitative method is used in this study by collecting data through an online survey using Google Forms in which the respondents are active users of mobile payment services in Indonesia. The data analysis is conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics to examine the relationships between variables. The result of this study shows that Perceived Usefulness and Trust significantly influence users’ positive attitudes toward mobile payment. Moreover, the Public Sphere, which presents user discussions and experiences through social media, also has a positive effect on perceived usefulness and users’ intention to keep using the service. On the other hand, Public Sphere has no direct effect on attitudes, and Trust does not mediate attitudes toward usage intentions. The main findings indicate that user attitudes play an important role as mediators that strengthen the influence of perceived usefulness and trust on their intention to use mobile payments in the future. This study provides implications which are crucial for the digital financial services industry and policymakers. The strategies that emphasize to increase trust through security features and strengthen positive experiences and discussions in digital public spaces can increase the intention and sustainability of mobile payment use in Indonesia. Furthermore, developing humanistic content and emphasizing user experiences in digital public spaces is necessary to shape better attitudes and usage intentions.

Knowledge and Attitudes toward Reproductive Health among Female Teacher Training Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Nusa Cendana University

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Background: Reproductive health among adolescents and young adults remains a public health priority in Indonesia, including East Nusa Tenggara. Limited literacy and unfavorable attitudes increase risks of unintended pregnancy, risky sexual behaviors, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This topic is particularly salient for female students in the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education as future educators, while sociocultural norms and taboos can impede discourse.

Objective: To assess knowledge, attitudes, and their association regarding reproductive health among female students in the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education at Nusa Cendana University. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 135 participants selected via cluster and stratified random sampling across nine programs. Data were collected using structured questionnaires on knowledge and attitudes. Univariate summaries and Chi-square tests (SPSS v30) were applied with a 0.05 significance level. Some cells in the contingency table had expected counts <5, violating the Chi-square assumption. Therefore, variable categories were collapsed, or an alternative test, such as Fisher’s exact test, was used for inferential analysis, and the effect size (Cramér’s V) = 0,564.

Results: Good knowledge was observed in 66.7% of respondents, moderate in 14.1%, and low in 19.3%. Positive attitudes were reported by 85.2% and negative by 14.8%. Knowledge level was significantly associated with attitudes (chi-square = 43.001; p < 0.001, Cramér’s V = 0.564, large). Sensitivity analysis by collapsing knowledge categories (moderate + low) confirmed robustness (Fisher’s exact p < 0.001; phi ≈ 0.55).

Conclusions: Higher knowledge is associated with more favorable attitudes toward reproductive health. Integrating comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based reproductive health education within teacher-training curricula is recommended, with emphasis on digital literacy and curated information sources.

The Effect of Health Education on Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Depression Among Eleventh-Grade Students at SMK Umi Kulsum Banjaran Bandung

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Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of health education on students’ knowledge and attitudes toward depression among adolescents.

Theoretical Framework: The research is grounded in health behavior theories such as the Health Belief Model and mental health literacy frameworks, emphasizing the role of education in shaping awareness and behavioral responses to mental health issues.

Method: A pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was used. The sample consisted of 85 eleventh-grade students at SMK Umi Kulsum Banjaran Bandung, selected through total sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires before and after a health education session on depression. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test.

Results and Discussion: The study revealed a statistically significant increase in students’ knowledge (p = 0.000) and attitudes (p = 0.001) regarding depression after the intervention. These results indicate that structured health education effectively enhances awareness and fosters a more positive attitude toward mental health issues in adolescents. Limitations include the absence of a control group and short-term evaluation.

Research Implications: The findings suggest that integrating mental health topics into school-based health education programs can improve mental health literacy among students, potentially leading to earlier recognition and intervention in cases of adolescent depression.

Originality/Value: This research contributes to the growing field of adolescent mental health promotion by demonstrating the practical impact of targeted educational interventions in vocational school settings.

Applying Baamboozle to teach English vocabulary for pre-starter level at a language center in HCMC

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This study investigates the effectiveness of Baamboozle, a digital game-based learning tool, in teaching English vocabulary to Pre-Starter level students at Phuong Nam Language Center, Ho Chi Minh City. Quantitative and qualitative methods are employed. Quantitative data was obtained from questionnaires and tests while qualitative data was collected from interviews. 88 Pre-Starter level students and 17 teachers at Phuong Nam Language Center, Ho Chi Minh City participated in the research. The findings reveal that Baamboozle significantly improves students’ vocabulary acquisition and students’ engagement compared to traditional methods. Both teachers and students expressed a positive attitude toward the Bamboozle tool, appreciating its interactive and enjoyable nature. However, the study also highlights some challenges when using the tool such as inconsistent use across classes and content repetitiveness. The study recommends regular integration of Baamboozle into English lessons supported by teacher training, and suggests further research on its long-term effects in language learning. This study adds valuable insights into the use of educational technology to enhance language instruction.

The Effect of Product Involvement, Perceived Value, and Attitude as Mediation on the Intention to Use “POSPAY” Apps by PT Pos Indonesia (Persero) to Create the Right Marketing Strategy through a Marketing 4.0 Perspectives

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Pospay is an app from PT Pos Indonesia (Persero). The research’s background highlights the competitive pressures in the financial services industry and the necessity for transformational companies to innovate through digital offerings such as the Fintech app. The implications of this research complete a new understanding for the marketing department at PT Pos Indonesia on how to increase customer intention to use. This research can provide evaluation materials and references for implementing the right marketing strategy from the perspective of Marketing 4.0, especially to increase intention to use it with variable mediation of consumer attitudes. The results of this research can provide an overview of the fact that perceived value is the most powerful variable that contributes to efforts to increase intention to use the Pospay App.

The key research problems are the need to identify the determinants of user intention in adopting FinTech apps, the role of consumer attitude in mediating these determinants, product involvement, and the practical implications for marketing strategy development. The research employs a mixed method with a descriptive approach and uses a type-3 problem-solving scenario. Quantitative data is collected through surveys, and qualitative insights are gathered via interviews or focus group discussions. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) – Partial Least Square (PLS) with WarpPLS software is used to analyze data testing the hypothesis.

The research results are as follows: Product involvement does not have a significant effect on the intention to use but has a significant effect on consumer attitudes; Perceived value has a significant effect on the intention to use and consumer attitudes; Consumer attitude has a significant effect on the intention to use and mediates the influence of perceived value on intention to use but does not moderate the influence of product involvement on intention to use. The research will provide actionable recommendations for PT Pos Indonesia, enabling them to tailor their marketing strategies better through a Marketing 4.0 perspective to meet customer needs and preferences.

EFL Teachers’ Beliefs and Practice of Code-Switching: A Case Study at Ba Ria – Vungtau University

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This paper presents the practice, including the forms and functions, and beliefs of code-switching practiced by EFL teachers in classroom instruction in the context of a university in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province. Three instruments will be employed in this research including classroom observation, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews with the participation of 9 EFL teachers and 59 students. The aims of this research are to (1) investigate the functions and forms of code-switching that teachers employed in their classrooms; (2) investigate how teacher’s beliefs and attitudes toward employing code-switching; (3) research for the similarities, and differences between teacher’s opinion and their actual practice of code-switching in 9 EFL classrooms from a case study at Ba Ria – Vung Tau University (BVU).

Health Claims in Food Products: Buyers Attitude and Behaviour in Indonesia

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This study explores the dynamics of health claims in food products and investigates the attitudes and behaviors of buyers in Indonesia. With a growing global trend towards healthier lifestyles, understanding consumer responses to health-related claims on food items is crucial. The research delves into the factors influencing buyer attitudes, examining the impact of demographic variables, socio-cultural nuances, and individual attitudes towards health claims. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the study aims to unveil patterns in consumer decision-making processes and discern the extent to which health claims influence purchasing behaviors in the Indonesian market. By shedding light on the intricate interplay between health claims and consumer choices, this research contributes valuable insights for both the food industry and policymakers seeking to foster healthier dietary practices in Indonesia.

The Impact of Perceived Value and Attitude towards Purchase Intention at Sambel Branding Restaurant

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Sambal is a traditional Indonesian spice that has been an essential component of Indonesian cuisine for centuries. Today, it is considered a staple spice in all Indonesian dishes. The popularity of sambal has attracted many new restaurants of varying scales to enter the spicy food market and utilize the “Sambel” brand as their restaurant attraction. Jakarta, which is one of the eight primary cities in Indonesia, ranks fourth with the most restaurant dine-in visits in 2022. As per the data provided by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), there are 6,780 restaurant units in Indonesia of medium to large scale. Jakarta secures the top spot as the province with the most medium-scale restaurants in Indonesia, with 3,062 units in 2021. Sambel Korek DNO is one of the dining places in Jakarta with the Sambel, the central outlet is located in Sumur Batu Kemayoran. This establishment is the highest contributor to the sales of Sambel Korek DNO as compared to other establishments. The significant consumption levels of Jakartans and their fondness for spicy cuisine drive new entries to launch their street food stalls, small establishments, and restaurants under the Sambel brand, causing an increase in competition. However, the sales of DNO Korek Sambal did not meet the target this year due to a decline in the number of customers dining at this outlet. This could be attributed to low brand awareness, as many other eateries also use the “Sambel” branding. Additionally, customers’ perception of quality may be influenced by the similarity in offerings with other major players in the “Sambel” market, such as Waroeng SS and Sambal Bakar Indonesia. This research wants to analyze whether perceived value and attitude could mediate brand awareness and perceived quality toward purchase intention for potential customers and existing customers. This research is conducted using SPSS and PLS-SEM. Resulting that Attitude has no mediating effects on brand awareness and perceived quality towards purchase intention. However, perceived quality has mediating effects on brand awareness and perceived quality towards attitude, which has a significant influence on purchase intention.