Enhancing the Quality of Foreign Language Learning Through Extracurricular Programs for Vietnamese Students

Abstract

The study of ‘Enhancing the quality of foreign language learning through extracurricular programs for students’ was conducted in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam National University (VNU-HCM) from May to August of 2015. The research objectives are to explore students’ needs of English extracurricular activities and evaluate the feasibility of certain extracurricular activities, from which propose appropriate English extracurricular programs for students. The study applied qualitative and quantitative methods, using questionnaires to survey the students’ needs of English extracurricular activities and interviews with university leaders on practical experience in implementing extracurricular programs. There were 3000 of 8000 students living in VNU-HCM dormitory B participated in the survey, representing 37%. The research results showed that: the objective of joining in English extracurricular activities was to develop English communicative skills with the highest agreement rate of nearly 90%, followed by that of improving academic English and professional English that gained 80% of agreement. In addition, considering only the question received more than 60% of agreement, the degree of participation in extracurricular activities was different according to each objective. For English extracurricular activities focusing on academic English, the form of short-term training was selected most, about 70% of agreement, and the other forms such as Eloquence and Writing Composition were agreed about 60%. For enhancing professional English, the forms of Company Tour and Exhibition Fair had the participation rate reaching over 80%, followed by Workshop with the rate of 70%. For improving English communicative skills, the results showed that: the favourable activities received over 80% of agreement consisting of watching movies, listening to music, tourism and speaking clubs; Those were agreed by 60-70% of students included: gameshow, art festival, book cafe, puzzle, karaoke, lunch hour; And the less attractive forms with under 60% of agreement were sports, dramas and songs writing in English.