Integrating Debate-Based Pedagogy to Support Vietnam’s Transition from EFL to ESL
Speaker: Dr. Nguyen Thuy Hong Van
Affiliation: INTESOL Worldwide Trainer
Abstract:
Vietnam is undergoing a major change in how English is taught. People in charge of education are moving away from the old way of teaching English as a foreign language. Instead, they want to teach English as if it were a second language people use every day. This new way of teaching focuses on using English to communicate, rather than just learning grammar rules. But even with this change, many classrooms still focus too much on grammar and preparing for exams. This means students don't get to practice using English in real-life situations or think critically about what they're learning. This study examines how using debates in the classroom can help address this problem. It can help students improve their English communication and think more deeply about what they're learning. This research examines how classroom debates can help students express their opinions, examine evidence, and respond to others' views in English. It also checks if debating in class can improve critical thinking and make the classroom a better place to learn English. The study draws on ideas from teaching argumentation and language skills to examine how class debates affect students' participation and engagement. By doing so, it aims to determine whether debating can help Vietnamese students improve their English speaking and critical thinking. The goal is to create a classroom where students feel comfortable using English and can develop their skills in a fun and interactive way. This research aims to show that using debates in teaching can help students feel more confident when communicating, think more critically, and use language more effectively. The study provides teachers and curriculum designers with new ideas for teaching English in ways that align with Vietnam's evolving goals for English language education.
Bio:
Dr. Nguyen Thuy Hong Van is the Founder of VEDUCON and INTESOL Vietnam, the Master Franchise of INTESOL Worldwide in Vietnam. With more than 30 years of experience in the education sector, she has made a significant contribution to teacher development and educational innovation in Vietnam. As a TESOL trainer certified by INTESOL Worldwide (UK), Dr. Van is committed to excellence in teacher training and professional development. She is also the author of ALAP’s certified teacher training course, “Teaching Debate: A Professional Training Course for Educators,” which equips teachers to integrate debate and critical thinking into their classrooms. Guided by her belief that “sharing knowledge brings happiness,” Dr. Van dedicates herself to empowering educators through high-quality training programs and educational initiatives. Her students and trainees remain her greatest inspiration, motivating her mission to make internationally recognised educational programs more accessible to the Vietnamese teaching community. Through educational consulting, teacher training, and institutional partnerships, Dr. Van strives to expand opportunities for Vietnamese educators and learners. Her vision is to bring the joy of learning and the spirit of critical thinking into classrooms across Vietnam.
