Articles

Using Gamified Vocabulary Instruction to Enhance Young Learners’ Motivation in English Learning at a Foreign Language Center in Ca Mau

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This study investigates the effects of gamified vocabulary instruction on the motivation of young EFL learners at a foreign language center in Ca Mau, Vietnam. Although vocabulary learning is essential in EFL contexts, instructional practices in many Vietnamese language centers continue to rely heavily on repetition, translation, and rote memorization, which often fail to sustain learners’ motivation. To address this issue, a ten-week gamified instructional program was implemented, integrating game elements such as points, badges, leaderboards, and collaborative activities into vocabulary lessons. Data were collected through a post-intervention questionnaire measuring learners’ enjoyment, engagement, effort, and perceived usefulness of the activities, supplemented by semi-structured interviews to gain qualitative insights into learners’ experiences. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed to identify recurring motivational patterns. The study aims to provide empirical evidence on the motivational impact of gamified vocabulary instruction and to contribute to the limited research on gamification in provincial EFL contexts in Vietnam. The findings are expected to offer practical implications for language teachers and institutions seeking to enhance learner motivation through more interactive and engaging instructional approaches.

Using Kahoot! To Enhance English Learning For 8th Graders at Nguyen Thai Binh Secondary School in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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This study explores the impact of Kahoot!, a game-based learning platform, on enhancing English learning among 8th-grade students at Nguyen Thai Binh Secondary School, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In response to the increasing integration of educational technology and the shift toward learner-centered pedagogy, the research investigates how Kahoot influences students’ motivation, engagement, and academic achievement, particularly in the areas of vocabulary and grammar.

A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative data from questionnaires administered to 40 students and qualitative data from semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistical techniques were used to analyze students’ perceptions of motivation, engagement, and language development, while thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative responses.

The findings indicate that Kahoot significantly enhances students’ learning motivation by fostering enjoyment, interest, and confidence in English learning. Student engagement improved markedly, with learners demonstrating increased participation and attentiveness during classroom activities. Furthermore, Kahoot contributed to measurable gains in vocabulary acquisition and grammar proficiency through interactive tasks and real-time feedback. Despite minor technical barriers, such as unstable internet and limited device access, students generally regarded Kahoot as an effective and enjoyable educational tool.

Turning English into a Second Language in Vietnam’s Education System: A Language Policy Analysis

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The year 2025 marks a critical turning point in Vietnam’s language education policy with the official approval of the national project to transform English into a second language within the education system. This paper critically examines the policy Making English a Second Language in Schools (2025–2035, Vision 2045) through Spolsky’s (2004) tripartite model of language policy, focusing on language ideologies, language management, and language practices. Drawing on policy documents, government resolutions, and secondary sources, the study situates the policy within Vietnam’s broader historical, sociopolitical, and sociolinguistic context of post–Đổi Mới reform and globalization. The analysis reveals that the policy is underpinned by a strong ideology of linguistic instrumentalism, positioning English as a key resource for national development, global integration, and workforce competitiveness. At the level of language management, the policy demonstrates ambitious, centralized planning through curriculum reform, teacher development, English-medium instruction, and digital transformation. However, language practices across educational contexts reveal persistent gaps between policy aspirations and classroom realities, particularly in rural and disadvantaged regions. Uneven teacher preparedness, infrastructural disparities, exam-oriented pedagogies, and emerging equity concerns challenge the sustainable implementation of English as a functional second language. The paper argues that while the policy represents a significant shift from foreign language education toward systemic bilingualization, its long-term success depends on contextualized implementation, teacher agency, and equitable resource allocation. Ultimately, English should function as an inclusive communicative resource rather than a gatekeeping mechanism, ensuring that national modernization does not exacerbate existing social and linguistic inequalities.

Needs Analysis for University EFL Learners Majoring in Business English: A Scoping Review of Research and Practice

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In the context of international economic integration, Business English (BE) has played an increasingly significant role in business settings because BE is considered as a global communicative means, helping business transactions happen effectively among economies all over the world. In Vietnam, BE has been used more and more in trade transactions because Vietnam’s economy has explosively developed and Vietnam has expanded its international trade relations over the last ten years. The aim of the paper is to analyze and synthesize the needs analysis for EFL learners majoring in Business English globally. The results of the paper help higher education in Vietnam see the importance of needs analysis in ESP, needs analysis approaches, theoretical frameworks including target situation analysis (TSA), present situation analysis (PSA), learning situation analysis (LSA), then evaluate existing materials or coursebooks and adapt to create better universities’ curricula to meet the linguistic requirements in the workplaces in Vietnam.

Factors Affecting the Developing Speed and Sustainability of Night-Time Economic Services in Bac Giang Province

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Until 2030, the province of Bac Giang will focus on promoting the comprehensive development of all economic sectors, with the industrial sector as the main driving force and the service sector as the motivating force. The expansion of concentrated industrial zones, coupled with the formation of new cities, has been a premise that fosters urbanization. These areas attract an abundant workforce of young immigrants and create conditions for the middle class to grow rapidly. That, along with the province’s orientation to develop tourism as an important economic sector, Bac Giang has the advantages and potentials to strongly promote night-time service economy. This article analyzes factors that influence the economic growth of night-time service activities in Bac Giang, establishes a basis for well-planned investment, as well as rapid and sustainable development of the service industry.

Factors Affecting Investment Decisions of EU Investors in Vietnam

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EU investors were present in 18 out of 21 important economic sectors, focusing on manufacturing and processing industry 36.3%, refining and petrochemical 11%, textiles and garments 6.94%, electronics 6.4%, food processing 5.6%, cars and means of transport 5.2%; production and distribution of electricity and gas 20.7%, real estate 11%, information and communication 6.6% (GSO, 2020); contributed significantly to Vietnam’s economic growth. On the basis of that, attracting FDI is a subjective activity of the investee, that is, the investee will perform activities affecting the factors of the investee to increase the attractiveness of the investor. foreign investor. Thus, in order to effectively attract FDI from EU investors into Vietnam associated with the characteristics of each investor, it is necessary to assess the degree of influence of factors on FDI attraction, which is also the factors affecting the decision of EU investors. This study uses an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) model to analyze the factors affecting the investment decisions of EU investors in Vietnam, thereby proposing solutions to enhance the attractiveness of EU investors effective FDI from the EU into Vietnam in the coming time.

E-Commerce Apps – Solutions for Farm-Household in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic: Research on Suppliers of Lychee Products According to Global Gap Standards

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In the context of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in countries around the world, it is extremely hard for farmers to consume agricultural products, thereby affecting their production results. This study was designed to analyze the factors affecting the production and business results of lychee farmers in Vietnam in the context of the influence of the Covid 19 pandemic. Data for the study was collected from a survey of about 400 lychee production households according to Global Gap standards in Vietnam. Research findings have shown that the revenue from the supply of lychee products of farmers in Vietnam has decreased after the effects of Covid 19. Along with that, factors also have different degrees of influence on the business results of lychee-producing households. Especially in the context of the Covid 19 pandemic, e-commerce has become an effective consumption channel, supporting the consumption of products of lychee producers in Vietnam. In the light of those findings, the author provided recommendations for lychee product suppliers in Vietnam on how to solve their problems.

Vietnam-Asean Trade: Solutions for Vietnam’s Import and Export

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This study carries out to analyze the current state between Vietnam and other countries in the ASEAN region. Research outcomes show that Vietnam’s exports and imports with countries in the ASEAN region have increased during the study period. The expansion of trade activities is a good sign for exchange activities between countries. Based on that analysis, the study proposes several recommendations to expand further trade activities between Vietnam and ASEAN countries towards countries in the ASEAN region to become the main export and import market of Vietnam.