THE EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY-ASSISTED LISTENING PRACTICE ON MOODLE ON ENGLISH-MAJORED FRESHMEN'S LISTENING PROFICIENCY

This research was conducted to investigate the effects of technology-assisted listening practice on MOODLE on English-majored freshmen's listening proficiency as an alternative to traditional teaching and learning English. An interesting question, however, was how to apply this mode of teaching and learning English listening within the Vietnamese context. In Vietnam, few studies have been carried out on the advantages and disadvantages that university teachers and students encountered in implementing English listening practice with MOODLE assistance to meet the demands and interests of the students and support instructional practices. Therefore, this quantitative-method research was conducted to examine this interesting area with sixty-four English-majored freshmen. The data were analyzed from a pretest and post-test. The findings prove that technology-assisted listening practice on MOODLE had positive effects on English-majored freshmen's listening proficiency.  Article visualizations

The Effects of Technology-Assisted Listening Practice on Moodle on English-Majored Freshmen’s Motivation for Learning Listening at a University in The Mekong Delta

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effects of technology-assisted listening practice on MOODLE on English-majored freshmen's motivation for learning English listening at a university in the Mekong Delta. Approach/Methodology/Design: Two groups of sixty-four mixed-gender freshmen majoring in English language studies participated in this quasi-experimental study. To collect data, a pre-questionnaire, a post-questionnaire, and interviews were employed. Findings: The findings indicated that technology-assisted listening practice on MOODLE improved English-majored freshmen's listening motivation in specific areas for learning listening; however, this was a variance development. Practical Implications: This study was aimed to help language teachers and students benefit from technology-assisted listening teaching and learning. Originality/value: This study innovates by applying the MOODLE system to increase students’ listening motivation at a university in the Mekong Delta

EFL TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING ACTIVE LEARNING TECHNIQUES IN TEACHING SPEAKING

Active learning has indicated its important role in learners’ speaking process and involved students in classroom activities. Therefore, there is a pressing need for implementing active learning techniques to engage students in speaking English. The research entitled “The EFL Teachers’ Perceptions about Implementing Active Learning Techniques in Teaching Speaking” was conducted to obtain two research aims, including (1) to find out teachers’ perceptions about implementing active learning techniques in their speaking classrooms; (2) to investigate the benefits and difficulties of implementing active learning techniques in teaching speaking. This is descriptive research using mix-methods. The participants were 56 teachers who are from two English language centers in Can Tho City responding to the questionnaire. Besides, semi-structured interviews were also administrated to investigate the benefits and difficulties teachers faced when implementing active learning techniques in teaching speaking. The findings show that teachers had positive perceptions of implementing active learning techniques in their speaking classrooms in the Mekong Delta and provided some valuable information for further topic-related research.  Article visualizations

Awareness And Risk Behaviors Towards Zoonotic Disease Among Ethnic Minority In Mountainous Area Of Central Vietnam

Background: As a result of the population explosion and rapid urbanization, human activities have been causing negative impacts on the environment. The changing patterns of transmissible diseases among wild animals, livestock and human have been getting more and more complicated in the context of climate change. Ethnic community from mountainous and isolated areas undoubtedly are the most vulnerable, with the high risk of emerging and re-emerging zoonosis. Objectives: To explore the awareness and risk behaviors of the residents in Nham commune, A Luoi district towards zoonosis transmission. To determine the factors related to the risk behaviors of the residents. Methods: A sectional-cross study was conducted among 230 residents whose ages range from 18 – 85, currently living in Nham commune, A Luoi district, adjacent to the Vietnam – Laos border. All participants were interviewed directly with a questionnaire including the following categories: demographics, household wealth, awareness of zoonosis, livestock management and behaviors related to wildlife animals. Descriptive analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine factors associated with risk behaviors. Results: The proportion of respondents who have heard about zoonotic diseases was 40%. The majority of subjects raise free-range livestock (83,4%), especially on poultry and cow. The percentage of participants who consumed culled sick and dead animals accounted for 26%, over 30% of villagers slept in forest and more than 50% consumed bushmeat. Risk behaviors related to management livestock and wildlife were statistically significantly associated with gender, age of subjects, educational background, household wealth, information approach on zoonosis, and the number of livestocks. Conclusions: The proportion of respondents who have heard about zoonotic diseases was 40%. The high-risk group falls on those who consume dead domestic animals, wildlife animals and sleep in the forest. Behaviors of human-wildlife contact and zoonosis are quite common with the Nham locals, which emphasizes the necessity for intervention programs in zoonotic disease control.

Synthesis of Hybrid Lead Iodide Perovskite Thin Film by Two-Step Method Modified with a Double Dipping Circle to Control Its Crystallization and Morphology to Improve Solar Cells’ Performance

Crystallization and morphology of perovskite film played an important role to obtain efficient performance of perovskite solar cells. This study is aimed at optimizing the fabrication of hybrid organic–inorganic lead iodide perovskite layer by a two-step method modified by a double dip coating process which enables to control the perovskite crystallization and morphology. The duration time of each circle for the step of dipping PbI2 film to methylammonium iodide solution was varied from 90 to 240 second. The obtained perovskite films were characterized by X-ray diffraction to evaluate the transformation of PbI2 reactant to the perovskite product and its crystallization, by scanning electron microscopy to observe its morphology. Then, the perovskite films were implemented in functional perovskite solar cell devices followed by current–voltage characterization. Results showed that the perovskite was formed via an equilibrium process which reached an optimum transformation of PbI2 to the product after 2×150 second circle dip coating, and its morphology was smooth with the least voids. The solar cell devices fabricated at the optimum conditions achieved a comparable performance of about 14%