UEF Instructors Embracing Innovations in English Teaching with International Experts

In a context where English has become a powerful tool for connection in learning, careers, and global life, language teaching has evolved beyond just structures and vocabulary. It's vital to help learners master their voice, express thoughts, viewpoints, goals, and personal identities confidently, tailored to multicultural communication contexts.

With this spirit, on the morning of January 14, the Faculty of English at UEF hosted a workshop titled “Discover Voices: Engaging and Supporting Students through Project-Based Learning and More,” offering modern pedagogical insights surrounding project-based learning and the development of global communication skills for instructors.

The event featured the participation of the leadership team, English faculty, and international educators and experts.

In his opening speech, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Huy Cuong, Head of the English Department, emphasized that UEF is committed to building and maintaining professional foundations to support teachers in sharing teaching experiences while updating modern teaching methods and approaches. He stated that the overarching goal of these academic activities is to create a positive and effective learning environment for students. Ultimately, it aims not only to enhance language proficiency but also to develop confidence in communication and apply knowledge to real-life and work situations.

Accompanying this professional training session was Ms. Emily Bryson, an experienced expert in English Language Teaching (ELT), specializing in visual thinking and graphic facilitation for teachers and learners. She is the author and co-author of many ELT materials, including National Geographic Learning’s Voices series, 50 Ways to Teach Life Skills, and Pathways to Success: Visual Tools for Goal-Setting, Self-Evaluation & Progression. The professional development programs she has implemented at various international educational organizations are highly regarded for their visual and creative approaches, emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion values in education.

Sharing her personal experiences, Ms. Emily Bryson mentioned that during her early teaching days, she faced challenges in adjusting her voice and English usage to suit international learners. There were times she unconsciously used her Scottish accent while teaching. Over time, she learned to adjust her pronunciation, speed, and expression so that her English could be more easily understood in global communication contexts. She emphasized the core philosophy of the Voices materials: English is a global language, and to communicate effectively, not only learners but also those considered “native speakers” need to change, adapt, and adjust their communication styles. In this spirit, Voices aims to develop intercultural communication skills, helping learners take ownership of their voices, build confidence, and be proactive in their learning process. The workshop content further clarified these values through activities and practical, easily applicable perspectives for the classroom.

At the program, the speaker introduced simple yet effective visual tools. She suggested that instructors could guide students to use basic drawings like triangles, circles, or squares to illustrate goal-setting and personal development processes. For example, an image of a mountain helps learners visualize their destination, the challenges to overcome, and the path to reach the "summit." The learning journey can also be likened to an extended road ahead, allowing students to identify their current position, future goals, and necessary steps to reach those goals. Meanwhile, a model of ascending stairs can help learners clearly recognize each step they need to complete, thereby fostering a systematic mindset, breaking down goals, and planning appropriate action.

Participants also shared personal learning stories surrounding the acquisition of new skills, initial motivations, and ways to maintain perseverance. The speaker emphasized an effective approach: start with the question "why," set clear goals, break them down, and build a specific action plan.

The program introduced numerous project-based learning ideas that encourage communication and create positive impacts, such as presentations, art exhibitions, social media content creation, cartoon drawing, or multimedia products. Through project-based learning, students can simultaneously enhance their English proficiency and develop essential future skills like interpersonal communication, digital skills, critical thinking, and self-management.

Concluding the workshop, the speaker highlighted the importance of diverse perspectives in learning and communication. Each individual brings unique experiences, contexts, and “lenses” to perceive the world. These differences create richness in thinking but can easily lead to misunderstandings if rigid templates are applied. Thus, education needs to create spaces where learners can share their personal views, respect differences, and develop intercultural communication skills with openness and understanding.

This workshop not only provided novel teaching methods for instructors but also affirmed UEF’s training direction, centering learners, emphasizing applicability, and nurturing students' global integration capabilities in the new era.