AsiaTEFL Logo        The Journal of Asia TEFL
   
The Journal of Asia TEFL
Articles By Subject
Current Issue
Past Issues
Special Issue
Information of the Journal
Editorial Board
Submission Guidelines
Ethical Guidelines
Manuscript Submission
Journal Order
Search
Today 2,012
Total 3,836,825
Current Issue
Go List

Volume 20 Number 2, Summer 2023, Pages 215-506   


PDF Download
   

An Exploration of Teacher Roles in Blended EFL Contexts in Vietnam

    Giang Hong Nguyen, Elke Stracke


This study investigates perceptions and practice of the roles of EFL (English as a foreign language) teachers at two Vietnamese universities in their blended English classes. Blended language learning (BLL) is often understood as a combination of face-to-face (F2F) learning and computer-assisted language learning (CALL). Teachers play an essential role in technology implementation in language education. Understanding their reality is vital for sustainable change. The study builds on theoretical models of teacher roles and blended learning. It draws on qualitative data. The six teachers in this study successfully combined traditional roles with innovative ones in the new learning environment. They became independent and creative designers, thus facilitating the blend of F2F and online learning. Nevertheless, they experienced challenges in designing activities for the successful complementarity of the blend. This study underlines the need for a high(er) level of teacher autonomy and professional learning opportunities for effective pedagogical practice in BLL in the Vietnamese context, other Confucian heritage culture countries such as China, Singapore, Korea, and Japan, and beyond. Such changes will pave the way for the success in improving English language capability and EFL teacher professional growth.

Keywords: blended language learning, Confucian heritage culture, teacher professional development, teacher roles, Vietnam