EFL Reading Fluency Development and Its Effects

Speed reading courses have been considered an effective method to improve learners' reading rate. Research in this area has concentrated on the effect of a speed reading course on students' speed improvement, but not on how to structure the course or the effects of speed improvement on other aspects of language and other types of reading. This thesis, in the first place, deals with the issue of scheduling a speed reading course, in terms of lesson frequency and course length, to achieve the best effect. The thesis also seeks to determine if speed development in the course leads to rate improvement in reading texts outside the course. Finally, the thesis looks at the effects of speed improvement on oral reading rate, language accuracy and language complexity. In the first of two experiments, a speed reading course was delivered to the four experimental groups, who followed the course on different scheduling. Four scoring methods were used to measure the participants' speed improvement and it was found that one group made smaller increases than the others in all scoring methods. A pre-test and a post-test for reading other types of texts were administered and the speeds on these texts by the four treatment groups were compared with those by the control group. The results demonstrated that all but one group from the treatment category outperformed the control group. The second experiment was both a replication of the first experiment in order to confirm the reliability of the first experiment's results and an expansion from the first experiment to explore other issues. It involved two control groups, one of which followed the usual English program at the university and two treatment groups, one of which received consultation sessions during the treatment. The results on speed increases within the speed reading course corroborate the findings in the first experiment. Reading rate transfer from the speed reading course to other texts was significant (p<.001). Comparisons within the treatment groups and within the control groups demonstrated that the usual English program did not noticeably affect the speed increase transfer to other texts, oral reading fluency improvement, or language memory span development, but the consultation sessions substantially affected speed improvement in the course and speed improvement on other types of texts. With respect to oral reading rate the experiment found that the difference between the control groups and the treatment groups was statistically significant (p<.05). The relationships between reading fluency, language accuracy, and language complexity were also explored by looking at the comprehension scores and memory span results. It was found that reading fluency improvement does not necessarily negatively affect comprehension. It, however, does not assist language accuracy development to a remarkable degree. More importantly, the experiment showed that the treatment groups considerably expanded their memory span, which implies that reading speed improvement facilitates language complexity. High correlations between speed increases in the speed reading course, reading rate improvement in other types of texts and memory span development were also found

The Effects of Collaborative Learning on Young ESL Learners’ L2 Anxiety and Speaking Performance

Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) is one of the issues of interest attracting researchers in recent decades. However, while collaborative learning introduced a prospective tool for FLA, it has not been much researched in the L2 classroom context, particularly in Vietnam. This paper focuses on using collaborative learning to reduce foreign language anxiety and enhance the L2 speaking performance of young learners at an English center in Ho Chi Minh City. A combination of tools, including Aydin et al.’s (2017) Children Foreign Language Anxiety Scale (CFLAS) for the pre-tests and post-tests, the teacher’s diary, and follow-up interviews, was used to measure the changes in learner’ FLA level and speaking performance. After five-week implementations, these learners’ FLA was slightly alleviated, and their speaking performance was improved using a collaborative learning approach. Moreover, learners were found to have positive attitudes and experience with learning in the new approach. These findings implied that collaborative learning could be a potential treatment to help L2 learners uncover their anxious selves and find more confidence in using the target languag

A Study of Asparagus Preservation Capacity of Chitosan-Alginate and Chitosan-Carrageenan Biofilms

Fresh postharvest green asparagus rapidly deteriorate due to its senescence process and high transpiration rate. This thesis aims to utilize the available sources of carrageenan and alginate for combining with pure chitosan coating solution, thus create a new multi-component coating that can overcome the limitations of pure chitosan coating, and show more effective in maintaining the quality of postharvest green asparagus. The gel solution ratio 2:1 (v/v) of chitosan 1% (w/v) and alginate 0.2% (w/v), had ability to prolong shelf-life of asparagus for 3 days (from weight loss point of view) and 7 days (from visual quality point of view) compared to control sample. The weight loss was less than about 12% and also ensured lower firmness change, maintained higher chlorophyll content, exhibiting better quality of asparagus compared to control and chitosan coated sample. The chitosan-alginate (2:1 v/v) coated asparagus achieved highest sensory score in day 7 and 14 of storage and lowest total aerobic growth in 14 days of storage at 4 ºC. The coating biofilm of chitosan-alginate could be considered as the new multi-component edible coating which showed high effectiveness in quality preservation and shelf-life extension of asparagus

Genetic diversity of two successive generations of selection in bighead catfish (Clarias macrocephalus) populations

Selective programs associated with domestication can improve fish production but also can have an impact on broodstock’s genetic diversity. In this study, the genetic diversity of original sources (G0) from wild and cultured bighead catfish populations, as well as the two successive generations (G1 and G2) subjected to selection experiments, was assessed. G0 wild adults were collected in Ca Mau conservation area and G0 cultured fish were from a hatchery in Can Tho. The G1 fish included pure crosses and crossbreeds of G0, while G2 was the offspring of the selected G1. Fin clips from 27 to 29 individuals of each fish group were randomly sampled for genetic analysis. The amplification results using six ISSR primers showed that the genetic diversity was relatively higher in G0 (effective number of alleles Ne from 1.43 to 1.49; heterozygosity He from 0.265 to 0.290) than in G1 (Ne = 1.32±0.04; He = 0.201±0.023) and G2 (Ne = 1.34±0.04; He = 0.216±0.023). Genetic differences increased between the original populations and the descending generations. To reduce the detrimental impacts of low genetic diversity in domesticated bighead catfish in the Mekong Delta, it is recommended that broodstock in later generations should be produced in a larger..

From Negative Aspects and Black Aspects of Vietnam Education to Lessons for Social Sciences Students

In our research, we level strong criticism at the State Professor Council in Vietnam, using the case of Tran Van Tho and other members as a representative illustration of their efforts to impede or restrict the growth of the nation's scientific community. We also do not place enough importance on the publication of bogus news online by various Vietnam publications (Thanhnien.vn and Tuoitre.vn), despite the fact that it may lead to confusion, as well as problems and concern in the community. In addition, we oppose the excessive tuition fees and other expenses that have been imposed by Banking University HCM city Vietnam and other institutions in HCM city in recent years, which have caused difficulties for families, parents, students, and society as a whole. In addition, we use these problematic aspects of the education system in Vietnam as a case study to instruct students majoring in social sciences. After that, the authors apply a strategy based on the laws of Malaysia in order to solve the problem of fake news published in the newspapers tuoi tre and thanh nien in Vietnam throughout the period 2015-2022. After the case discussion that was offered earlier, the authors assess the opinions of President Ho Chi Minh on publishing activities for the purpose of better teaching pupils. This is not the least of the authors' contributions

Experimental Evaluation on Engineering Properties and Drying Shrinkage of No-Cement Mortar Produced by Alkaline Activation of Fly Ash-Slag Mixtures

Turning locally available industrial by-products such as fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) into cement-free materials has been recently received much attention from researchers. Following this trend, the present study produces alkali-activated mortars (AAFS) using a mixture of FA and GGBFS as a precursor activated by an alkaline solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. Five AAFS mixtures were prepared for the evaluation of engineering properties, drying shrinkage, and microstructural observation using various FA/GGBFS ratios of 30/70, 40/60, 50/50, 60/40, and 70/30. The experimental results show that the proportions of FA and GGBFS significantly affected the performance of the AAFS in both fresh and hardened stages. Higher GGBFS content resulted in a reduction in flowability and higher fresh unit weight. The GGBFS-rich AAFS developed its mechanical strength faster than the FA-rich AAFS and the strength gain of the GGBFS-rich AAFS was significantly higher than that of the cement-based mortar at only 1-day old, confirming the applicability of AAFS as a structural material and its potential to replace cement in the no-cement mortar production. The AAFS sample incorporating 60% of GGBFS and 40% of FA exhibited the highest strength, lowest water absorption, and less drying shrinkage with a relatively dense microstructure among the AAFS samples

Reproductive Biology of Moonlight Gourami (Trichopodus microlepis) in U Minh Thuong and U Minh Ha National Parks

This study aimed to provide information about the reproductive biology of moonlight gourami (Trichopodus microlepsis) distributed in U Minh National Parks. Fish samples were collected monthly from January to October 2019 at two locations: U Minh Ha (UMH, Ca Mau, n=462) and U Minh Thuong (UMT, Kien Giang, n=635). Results showed that the maturation-stage ratios of females were similar between the two fish populations. Mature females (with stage IV-ovaries) and the increase in their gonadal somatic index (GIS) were found from June to October, indicating that this period is their spawning season. GSI reached the highest values in August with 8.04% in UMH and 6.44% in UMT. Female fish of the UMH population showed higher average fecundity (7,483±3,008 eggs/female) and larger egg diameter (762±55 µm) than those of UMT (6,898±2,952 eggs/female and 754±43 µm, respectively), but these differences were not significant (p>0.05)

SEASONAL VARIATION OF PHYTOPLANKTON FUNCTIONAL GROUPS IN TUYEN LAM RESERVOIR, CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, VIETNAM

Seasonal changes in freshwater phytoplankton assemblages at Tuyen Lam Reservoir in the Central Highlands of Vietnam were classified into 23 functional groups based on physiological, morphological, and ecological characteristics. A total of 168 species were recorded during 10 surveys from 2015 to 2019 at 7 sampling sites, with Chlorophyta dominating in number of species. Phytoplankton abundance varied from 0.18×105 to 21.2×105 cells/L during the study period, mainly due to cyanobacteria. Seven of the 23 functional groups were considered to be dominant (relative density &gt; 5%).  The dominant functional groups were groups M and G in the dry season and groups M, G, P, and E in the rainy season. Group M (Microcystis aeruginosa) was the most common in both seasons, while group P (Closterium, Staurastrum, Aulacoseira), group E (Dinobryon, Synura), and group G (Sphaerocystis, Eudorina) were more common in the rainy season. The Shannon diversity index (H¢) showed that phytoplankton communities were relatively diverse and that most of the study sites were lightly polluted. However, the ecological status has deteriorated at some locations due to the overgrowth of group M, leading to eutrophication in this reservoir. This study highlights the usefulness of functional groups in the study of seasonal changes in phytoplankton dynamics. Functional groups are applied for the first time at Tuyen Lam Reservoir and can be used to predict early-stage cyanobacterial blooms in future studies

Vietnam's visa policy for tourists

States employ travel visa as an instrument to leverage on visitor arrivals for various reasons. In tourism, visa plays a crucial role in facilitating potential and last-minute tourists’ decision making process. This paper focuses on the Vietnamese government’s visa policy in the context of tourism development. Adopting an economic approach, this paper reviews key achievements in tourist immigration policies and examines the challenges that deter tourists from visiting the country. This study purports that a stronger national strategy pertaining to simplification of visa processing and streamlining common visa entry union with neighboring countries within the AEC 2015 framework will translate to gains for Vietnamese tourism. __________________________________________________ Key words: economic approach, national visa policy, tourism developmen

Clinical and virological features of acute HBV-related hepatitis in southern Vietnam

Background: Despite the availability of effective vaccines, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still frequent worldwide, and accounts for significant morbidity and mortality. However, data of acute HBeAg negative hepatitis still remain limited. Aims and Methods: To understand clinical pictures of acute HBV hepatitis and its natural evolution, a prospective study was conducted in adult patients. Results: Ninety patients were enrolled between March 2004 and April 2005 at Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh city. The prevalence of HBeAg negative was 53%. No significant difference was found in clinical characteristics and laboratory findings between HBeAg positive and negative patients. HBV-DNA was detected in 75% and 88% HBe negative and positive patients, respectively, where the frequency of ALT below 400 U/L was significantly higher in HBeAg negative cases (p = 0.01). Six month follow-up was available in 47 patients. HBsAg positivity was found in 16% of HBeAg negative subjects but only in 4.5% of HBeAg positive cases. Thirty two patients had neither HBsAg nor anti-HBs. Conclusions: The clinical and laboratory feature and the ou