| December 2009 home | PDF Full Journal |

Volume 11. Issue 4
Article 7

Title
Impacts of Vietnam’s Social Context on Learners' Attitudes Towards Foreign Languages and English Language Learning: Implications for Teaching and Learning

Author
Phan Thi Thanh Hang

Bio Data: 
Phan Thi Thanh Hang is a PhD Candidate at the College of Education, University of Otago. She completed her MA (TESOL) at the University of Queensland. Her research activities focus on motivation, identity and language learning. She has experience teaching English, ESP, and ELT at Hanoi University of Technology and Ho Chi Minh University of Industry, Vietnam.

Abstract
This paper discusses the changes in Vietnamese learners’ attitudes towards foreign language learning based on an investigation into the history of foreign languages in Vietnam. Most of this paper will focus on English language learning because it is currently the most important foreign language in Vietnam. The paper argues that due to the political, economic and socio-cultural changes, Vietnamese learners’ attitudes have shifted from resentment against foreign languages toward appreciation of, and motivation in, learning them. However, despite these changes, only a group of Vietnamese who have benefited from their English competence are fully aware of its importance. Consequently, first, this paper emphasizes that it is important for policy makers, educators and other responsible people in Vietnam to be aware of the changes in learners’ attitudes. Then, it suggests that appropriate measures be taken to make learners aware of the importance of English, so that their motivation will be enhanced.

Key words: attitudes of learners, history of foreign languages, role of English, motivation