Skip to main content

Perceived Effectiveness of the Basic English Curriculum: Vietnamese University Graduates’ Perspectives

  • Conference paper
7th International Conference on University Learning and Teaching (InCULT 2014) Proceedings

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of the Basic English curriculum design and delivery at two selected Vietnamese non-language major universities specialising in Finance and Accounting. Research indicates that the curriculum framework in Vietnamese universities which is promulgated by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) results in heavy workloads for academic staff. This negatively affects their wellbeing and may reduce their effectiveness as teachers and researchers. This study which is part of a research study on the role of leadership in promoting and supporting the Basic English curriculum (BEC) design and delivery in two selected Vietnamese universities examined perceptions of graduates about the effectiveness of the Basic English curriculum design and delivery. The findings provide insights into graduates’ perspectives about the Basic English curriculum in two selected universities. Recommendations are offered to university leaders, curriculum developers and lecturers about redesigning curriculum to accommodate more communicative skills for graduates to meet the requirements of the workplace.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Anh, H. K. K. (2010). Use of Vietnamese in English language teaching in Vietnam: Attitudes of Vietnamese university teachers. English Language Teaching, 3(2), 119–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anh, T. N., & Tho, V. N. (2014). Biến động nhân lực ngành ngân hàng tại Việt Nam- Thực trạng và giải pháp (Fluctuation of banking human resource in Vietnam- Problems and solutions). Retrieved from http://www.tapchicongsan.org.vn/Home/PrintStory.aspx?distribution=30022&print=true

  • Barnett, R., & Coates, K. (2005). Engaging the curriculum in higher education. Buckingham: SRHE & Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2007). Research methods in education (6th ed.). New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dillman, D. A. (2007). Mail and internet surveys: The tailored design method 2007 update with new internet, visual, and mixed-mode guide. Hoboken: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gropello, E. D., Thomas, C. J., Yemenez, E. Y., Chchibber, A., & Adams, J. W. (2008). Vietnam: Higher education and skills for growth (pp. 1–232). Washington, DC: Human Development Department East Asia and Pacific Region, The World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayden, M. (2005). The legislative and regulatory environment of higher education in Vietnam. Washington, DC: The World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hien, V. N. (2014). Thông tư Ban hành khung năng lực ngoại ngữ 6 bậc dùng cho Việt Nam (Decree N01 on stipulating 6 levels of foreign language competence for Vietnamese students). MoET.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoan, P. (2014). Ngành Tài chính – Ngân hàng: Yếu tiếng Anh sẽ thất nghiệp (Finance- Banking majored students: Lack of English competence leads to unemployment). Dantri newspaper.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hung, N. (2013). Phó Thủ tướng Vũ Đức Đam: Đào tạo Đại học đang có vấn đề (Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam: Training in Vietnamese higher education facing challenges). Hanoi: Dantri.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huong, T. T. T. (2010). How do Vietnamese students prepare for study in English speaking universities overseas? VNU Scientific Journal – Social Science and Humanity, 26, 230–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huyen, L. (2012, December 10). College grads lack teamwork, communication skills. Tuoi Tre. Retrieved from http://tuoitrenews.vn/education/4962/college-grads-lack-teamwork-communication-skills

  • Lan, H., & Anh, L. (2013, December 17). Yếu chuyên môn vì thiếu thực tế (Low professional knowledge due to lack of practice). Nguoi lao dong. Retrieved from http://nld.com.vn/giao-duc-khoa-hoc/yeu-chuyen-mon-vi-thieu-thuc-te-20131217095326125.htm

  • Le, V. C., & Barnard, R. (2009). Curriculum innovation behind closed classroom doors: A Vietnamese case study. Prospect: An Australian Journal of TESOL, 24(2), 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ly, T. P. (2010). Vietnamese students deserve a better quality education. Retrieved 15 April 2010, from http://lypham.net/joomla/index.php option=com_content&task=view&id=203&Itemid=2

  • Minh, L. L. (2014). Thinking globally, prospering regionally-ASEAN Economic community 2015. Jakarta: The ASEAN Secretariat.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pham, H. H. (2007). Communicative language teaching: Unity within diversity. ELT Journal, 61(3), 193–201. doi:10.1093/elt/ccm026.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phi, N. N., Mai, T. V., & Ga, V. B. (2014). Thông tư liên tịch hướng dẫn thực hiện một số điều của Nghị định số 49/2010/NĐ-CP ngày 14 tháng 5 năm 2010 của Chính phủ quy định về miễn, giảm học phí, hỗ trợ chi phí học tập và cơ chế thu, sử dụng học phí đối với cơ sở giáo dục thuộc hệ thống giáo dục quốc dân (Joint-Circular guiding the implementation of some articles of Decree No. 49/2010/ND-CP dated May 14, 2010 of the Government on exemption or reduction of tuition fees, support costs and ways of collecting fees for educational institutions of the national education system). HN

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuyet, T. T. (2013a). Factors affecting teaching and learning English in Vietnamese universities. The Internet Journal Language, Culture and Society, 38, 138–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuyet, T. T. (2013b). Limitation on the development of skills in higher education in Vietnam. Higher Education, 65(5), 631–644.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van, T. N. (2007). Foreign language teaching and learning at the University of Engineering and Technology, Vietnam National University. VNU Scientific Journal – Foreign Language, 23, 138–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van, V. H. (2008). Factors affecting the quality of English education at Vietnam National University, Hanoi. VNU Scientific Journal – Foreign Language, 24, 22–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van, V. H. (2011). The current situation and issues of the teaching of English in Vietnam. 立命館言語文化研究, 22(1), 7–18

    Google Scholar 

  • VNA. (2013, November 23). Vietnam improves English proficiency, Dantrinews. Retrieved from http://www.dtinews.vn/en/news/020/32128/vietnam-improves-englishproficiency.html

  • VNS. (2012). Local teachers of English not up to standard Dantri. Hanoi, Vietnam, Dantrinews. http://www.dtinews.vn/en/news/020/Local-teachers-of-English-not-up-to-standard.html

Download references

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the Faculty of Education at Victoria University of Wellington for providing me with grants to attend and present at the INCULT international conference 2014. I especially owe profound gratitude to my first supervisor, Dr Kate Thornton and my secondary supervisor, Associate Professor Catherine Manathunga for their valuable direction and inputs which make this paper coherent and cohesive.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thuy Thi Bich Thuy Tran .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore

About this paper

Cite this paper

Thuy Tran, T.T.B. (2016). Perceived Effectiveness of the Basic English Curriculum: Vietnamese University Graduates’ Perspectives. In: Fook, C., Sidhu, G., Narasuman, S., Fong, L., Abdul Rahman, S. (eds) 7th International Conference on University Learning and Teaching (InCULT 2014) Proceedings. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-664-5_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-664-5_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-287-663-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-287-664-5

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics