Gender Differences in Listening: Research Perspectives

This paper reviews gender differences in listening. The paper focuses on three main questions for reviewing related studies published previously: (1) Between boys and girls, who listen better? (2) Reasons males or females listen better? and (3) Which method(s) researchers mainly used to explore gender differences in listening? Two major fields of research in listening were investigated: cognitive and metacognitive studies. The review reveals that male and female students have used different brain hemispheres for their listening comprehension although there are still debates and discussions on this issue. The reasons males seem listen more attentively than females are due to that fact that males are likely to pay attention to facts while females on the contrary like to listen to information. Surprisingly, there is no clear indication or conclusion to the question “Between males and females, who listen better?”, but this review recognizes that metacognitive instruction helps raise learners’ metacognitive awareness and assists them in their listening comprehension improvement. Three research methods mostly used for investigating gender differences in listening are recognized which are dichotic listening, brain-dominance inventory, and Metacognitive Awareness of Listening Questionnaire (MALQ) focusing on raising listeners’ cognitive and metacognitive awareness when students perform their listening tasks

Teaching L2 Listening in EFL Large Classes of Mixed-Ability University Students

This paper attempts to summarize what is known about the nature and process of listening. It also tries to relate theoretical issues to classroom practices. Teaching L2 listening in EFL large classes is not a passive process but an active one which assists students construct meaning in their mind. The paper then introduces listening types and different strategies that teachers can select to suit their listening teaching at language schools in general and in university in particular in which activities viewed from top-down, bottom-up, and interactive approaches are recommended. The paper focuses on activities and strategies such as lecturing, teacher talks and student talks that mainly occur at university settings. Web-based resources, online listening training with technology, and online assessment tools are also introduced. The paper ends with limitations and conclusion that encourage teachers and educators to further investigate related issues of this listening topic

Second-tier stock market efficiency and dynamic impacts on macroeconomic development: evidence from tropical economies

Background: The Tropics has recently emerged as an important geopolitical region with an economic growth rate outperforming the rest of the world. Second-tier stock markets are wellacknowledged as a critical alternative source of funding for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and can be seen as a key catalyst for innovation. These markets, which offer several benefits for both SMEs and investors, have been increasingly established across the world since the 1990s. This thesis, therefore, centres around second-tier stock markets in the Tropics. Objectives and Scope of the Research: This thesis presents findings from the following three research studies: (1) Evolution of second-tier stock market efficiency and dual long memory in the market under the joint impacts of thin trading, structural breaks, and inflation; (2) Dynamic return and asymmetric volatility transmissions between main stock market and second-tier stock market while accounting for the effects of thin trading, volatility breaks and trading volume; and (3) Dynamic impacts of second-tier stock market development and innovation on macroeconomic indicators within a Kaleckian-Post-Keynesian growth model. Regarding the scope of the research, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia were selected for empirical analysis since these four economies are not only Asian 'tigers' and 'tiger cubs' but also levers for growth in the tropical region. Methodology: Study One adopted a State-Space Non-linear Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity in Mean (GARCH-M) model with Kalman Filter estimation to depict the evolution of weak-form market efficiency. A set of fractionally integrated models such as Autoregressive Fractionally Integrated Moving Average (ARFIMA), Fractionally Integrated GARCH (FIGARCH), Fractionally Integrated Asymmetric Power ARCH (FIAPARCH), and Hyperbolic GARCH (HYGARCH) were used to estimate dual long memory properties in return and volatility. The joint impacts of thin trading, structural breaks and inflation on dual long memory were examined using relevant adjustment techniques that involve an Iterated Cumulative Sum of Squares (ICSS) algorithm and a State-Space Linear AR model with Kalman Filter estimation. In Study Two, a Bivariate Vector Autoregressive (VAR) Asymmetric Baba-Engle-Kraft- Kroner (BEKK) GARCH model was adopted to investigate the dynamic transmissions of return and asymmetric volatility between main stock market and second-tier stock market. The ICSS algorithm was applied to detect multiple volatility breaks in the two stock markets and the State- Space Linear AR model with Kalman Filter estimation was used to adjust for thin trading in second-tier stock market. To control for the joint effects of thin trading, volatility breaks and trading volume, the Bivariate VAR Asymmetric BEKK-GARCH model was extended with a dummy variable indicating volatility breaks, an aggregate trading volume variable, and a dethinned return variable. Study Three was grounded on the Kaleckian-Post-Keynesian theoretical model of growth and distribution to explore the macroeconomic impacts of second-tier stock market development and innovation. This theoretical model is renowned for its effective demonstration of the integrated relationships among behavioural functions of an economy including private investment, domestic savings, income distribution, productivity growth, net exports and employment. In this study, the functions of private investment, domestic savings, productivity growth, and employment were extended with the indicators of second-tier stock market development and innovation. A Structural Vector Error Correction (SVEC) model with short-run restrictions and SVEC Impulse Response Function were adopted to delineate the dynamic impacts of second-tier stock market development and innovation on macroeconomic functions. Results: Study One reports that second-tier stock markets in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia are still weak-form inefficient; however, those in Hong Kong and Singapore show tendencies towards efficiency. These tendencies appear to align with the increasing market capitalisation and traded value and several institutional reforms. The inefficiency of the markets is mainly owing to the presence of stationary long memory in return and/or volatility. Thin trading, structural breaks and inflation jointly have diminishing effects on the magnitude and/or statistical significance of dual long memory estimates. In Study Two, Hong Kong shows return transmission from second-tier stock market to the main stock market, while Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia show return transmission in the reverse direction. Only Singapore exhibits volatility transmission from the main stock market to second-tier stock market. Thin trading, volatility breaks and trading volume jointly decrease (increase) the magnitude and significance level of return transmission from second-tier (main) market to the main (second-tier) market. The underlying volatility transmissions dissipate or strengthen in magnitude and significance level. Furthermore, the evidence exposes a causality and a long-run equilibrium relationship from Hong Kong's main market returns to the country's economic development. Given the aforementioned return transmission from second-tier market to the main market in Hong Kong, its second-tier market thus can make an indirect contribution to economic development through the main market channel. Study Three reports that second-tier stock market development and/or innovation in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia have small but positive effects on the economic growth process in the short run. Second-tier stock markets in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand foster growth through the combination of the following three channels: private investment, domestic savings, and productivity growth. On the other hand, innovation in all four countries promotes growth through the combination of the following four channels: private investment, domestic savings, productivity growth and employment. Conclusions: The results of Study One implies the efficacy of institutional reforms and the importance of market development to the tendency towards efficiency in second-tier stock markets of Hong Kong and Singapore. Ignoring thin trading, structural breaks and inflation while modelling dual long memory in return and volatility may overestimate the corresponding true values. Study Two and Study Three indicate that second-tier stock market in Hong Kong can make contribution to economic development directly and indirectly via return transmission with the main market channel. Meanwhile, second-tier stock markets in Singapore and Thailand can only make direct contributions to the economic growth process. Moreover, failure to account for thin trading, volatility breaks and trading volume may distort the transmissions of return and volatility between main markets and second-tier markets. Study Three also indicates a major role of innovation in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia in the process of macroeconomic development. Accordingly, this thesis contains many important implications for academics, policymakers and professional practitioners in developing and investing in second-tier stock markets

The trend of using smart teaching devices in education in Vietnam

This study examines the growing integration of intelligent educational tools within the educational framework of Vietnam, underscoring the nation's swift shift towards a technology-centered learning environment. With 72.1 million internet users in Vietnam, marked by a 98.1% adoption rate of smartphones, 58.8% usage of laptops, and 35.5% ownership of tablets, these sophisticated devices have assumed a central role in the field of education. Notably, there exist governmental initiatives aimed at reinforcing the legal infrastructure, serving as a testament to Vietnam's dedication to advancing education through technological means. Smart educational devices have brought about a transformation in teaching techniques, rendering lessons more captivating, efficient, and accessible. The authors conducted a survey among a randomly selected group of 255 participants, revealing that the entire cohort utilizes smart devices for educational or work-related purposes. Nonetheless, certain students tend to employ smartphones for entertainment, which has raised inquiries regarding their scholastic impact. The paper explores the role of laptops, accentuating their revolutionary contribution to education and the necessity for further investigation to gain deeper insights into their effects. Furthermore, it investigates the obstacles encountered, encompassing technology-related distractions in educational contexts and disparities in technology access. Ultimately, this research underscores the significance of addressing these impediments to fully exploit the potential of intelligent educational devices in Vietnam's educational landscape, with the added benefit of drawing comparisons with global trends to glean valuable insights for further enhancing the educational domain

The role of social media in FMCG retail in Vietnam

Social media has become an indispensable part of contemporary life, transforming how individuals, businesses, and society interact. These digital platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter enable instant communication and content sharing, transcending geographical boundaries. Social media's impact extends beyond personal connections, as it plays a pivotal role in modern business and marketing strategies. Companies utilize these platforms to enhance brand recognition, engage customers, conduct market research, and drive sales. Simultaneously, the FMCG retail industry remains a cornerstone of the global economy, characterized by high consumer demand and fierce competition. In Vietnam, as in many emerging markets, the FMCG sector plays a pivotal role in the economy due to its substantial consumer base and diverse product offerings. Social media platforms have become integral to the strategies of FMCG retailers in the country. This research aims to delve into the dynamic and evolving relationship between social media and the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) retail sector, with a specific focus on the Vietnamese market and seeks to comprehensively analyze and understand how social media influences various facets of FMCG retail operations

Spiritual factors in Vietnamese consumers' purchasing decisions

Consumer demand is a complex and dynamic phenomenon that exerts a profound influence on economic decision-making, market trends, and overall societal well-being. In this context, comprehending the determinants of consumer demand assumes paramount significance for various stakeholders, including businesses, policymakers, and scholars. Furthermore, the acknowledgment of spiritual factors as influential determinants in shaping the values and behaviors of a population introduces a nuanced dimension, particularly within culturally diverse societies such as Vietnam. This research endeavor seeks to engage with these pivotal dimensions by elucidating the role of spiritual factors in tandem with the determinants of consumer demand, with specific reference to the distinctive cultural milieu of Vietnam. Employing a comprehensive multidimensional methodology, encompassing qualitative interviews, surveys, quantitative data analysis, historical and cultural inquiries, logical reasoning, and empirical case studies, this study strives to unravel the intricate interplay between spirituality and consumer behavior. It aims to explicate the influence of deeply ingrained spiritual beliefs, firmly entrenched within Vietnamese culture, on various spheres of decision-making. These spheres span from the observance of auspicious birth rituals and naming conventions to the orchestration of significant life events and the valuation of high-value assets such as real estate and automobiles. Moreover, this research seeks to illuminate the enduring nexus between spirituality, cultural heritage, and the choices made by consumers. It endeavors to provide insights into the multifaceted dynamics governing decision-making processes within the Vietnamese context. Additionally, this inquiry extends its purview to the exploration of the economic implications and marketing strategies predicated upon spiritual underpinnings, underscoring the substantial role played by these spiritual beliefs in shaping the consumer landscape. Ultimately, this research aspires to furnish a holistic comprehension of how spirituality is interwoven into the fabric of daily existence in Vietnam, significantly molding the values and behaviors of its citizenry

Impacts of FDI on technology upgrade and employment of Singapore and Malaysia, lesson for Vietnam

This thesis evaluates Vietnam's experience with FDI to date and looks at what lessons can be drawn from the experiences of Malaysia and Singapore to help Vietnam deal with emerging problems. The thesis shows that Vietnam's experience with FDI has been successful in the following ways: a significant contribution to growth, constitute 63.1% of exports (2012), some advanced technology are transferred, creation a number of new jobs and improving the quality of domestic products, etc. The main issues for Vietnam, though are limited technological upgrading, disappointing employment performance, fierce competition, crowding out effects and domination of FDI firms in the domestic market, etc. The thesis argues that the Malaysian and Singaporean experiences suggest Vietnam should prioritize tax incentives for pioneer industries, particularly aspects of education; enhancing human capital and technology capacity; improvement of business environment and subsidiaries industry, etc

Vietnamese Culture in the Fashion Industry: The Case of TiredCity and BARO

The international fashion industry has undergone significant development over the years, in response to the change in consumer preferences, technological advancements, globalization, and socio-cultural shifts. Vietnamese fashion has been steadily gaining recognition and prominence in the global fashion industry with cultural identity and unique aesthetics. The combination of traditional elements with modern influences has resulted in a unique and distinct style that is gaining recognition in both domestic and international markets. The influence of Vietnamese culture in the fashion industry is reflected in many aspects such as design, material, and products. The case studies of two distinct brands TiredCity and BARO explore the incorporation of Vietnamese culture in the fashion industry. Both brands aim to celebrate and promote the rich heritage of Vietnamese culture while presenting it in a contemporary and fashion-forward manner. By celebrating Vietnamese culture through their fashion products, TiredCity and BARO not only appeal to the local market but also attract international customers. This integration of cultural elements helps foster cross-cultural understanding and appreciation, contributing to cultural diversity and the development of the Vietnamese fashion industry