VIETNAMESE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS’ CHANGING LANDSCAPE: CHALLENGES, GAPS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Main Author: Orlando, Rosemary
• Other Authors: 2018 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS GRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDINGS “LINGUISTICS - FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION INTERDISCIPLINARY FIELDS
• Format: Working Paper
• Language: English
• Published: NHÀ XUẤT BẢN ĐẠI HỌC QUỐC GIA HÀ NỘI 2019
• Online Access: http://repository.vnu.edu.vn/handle/VNU_123/67545
• Institution: Vietnam National University, Hanoi

In response to the ever-changing landscape in English Language Teaching (ELT) brought about by globalization and technological advances, Vietnam continues to address the quality of its English language teaching and curricula thus necessitating more training to raise teacher standards. The Vietnam Ministry of Education’s recent initiatives for its English language teachers are having considerable impact on policies and practices throughout the region. It also shines a light on the challenges as well as the signifcant gaps in the process. With so many new methodologies, approaches, technology, and materials, it is important to strengthen the connection between theory and practice. How do we as teachers and teacher educators adapt to these changes? Teachers need to look beyond language teaching and see themselves as leaders within their own educational settings. The exposure to different methodologies and concepts not only helps local teachers view themselves in a different light, but also provides them with new opportunities and resources. A knowledgeable teacher educator can inspire and foster professional growth and development by using culturally constructed teaching methods and leading by example. As new technology will continue to revolutionize the way teachers teach and students learn, we need to think in a more global way to encourage Vietnamese teachers and students to strive for a higher level of performance. This paper will discuss challenges, gaps, and opportunities that exist for ELT in today’s Vietnam.