The influence of Vietnamese culture on English language acquisition: Learners’ perspectives

Huynh Thi My Duyen

doi:10.31893/multiscience.2025487

Keywords:

Vietnamese culture

communication styles

learning preferences

English learning process

Mekong Delta

Abstract

Culture plays a significant role in language learning, impacting aspects such as vocabulary, grammar, and usage in various contexts, including formal and informal settings tied to social status or age. Disparities between a learner's native culture and the target culture can affect the acquisition of the target language. Native culture may either facilitate or interfere with learning, with interference often being more prominent (Ara, 2017; Ellis, 1997; Brown, 2001). Vietnamese culture exemplifies this dynamic within the context of Vietnamese students learning English. Distinct cultural traits in Vietnam can pose cross-cultural challenges, leading to potential misunderstandings in communication (Dang & Norris, 2024). Recognizing traditional characteristics plays a crucial role in assisting students in overcoming cultural barriers in language acquisition. Despite this understanding, there exists a considerable gap in the literature regarding this topic. This gap in research provides the impetus for the present study, which seeks to explore how Vietnamese culture affects the process of learning English. Data collected from a questionnaire involving 83 students majoring in English at a university located in the Mekong Delta reveals their valuable insights into this phenomenon. The findings indicate that the communication styles and learning preferences prevalent among Vietnamese students present distinct challenges in their English language learning journey. The research results suggest several pedagogical implications, suggesting that tailored instructional strategies could enhance the effectiveness of the English learning process for Vietnamese students. Addressing these cultural factors is essential for improving language acquisition outcomes and fostering more effective learning environments.
References
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13. Hofstede, G. (1991). Cultures and organizations. McGraw-Hill.
14. Holliday, A. (1994). Appropriate methodology and social context. Cambridge University Press.
15. Karlık, M. (2023). Exploring the impact of culture on language learning: How understanding cultural context and values can deepen language acquisition. International Journal of Language, Linguistics, Literature and Culture, 2(5), 5–11. https://doi.org/10.59009/ijlllc.2023.0035
16. Kim, U., Triandis, H. C., Kagitcibasi, C., Choi, S. C., & Yoon, G. (Eds.). (1994). Individualism and collectivism: Theory, method, and applications. Sage.
17. McLaren, M. (1998). Interpreting culture differences. Peter Francis Publishers.
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20. Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating across cultures. The Guilford Press.
21. Vo, T. H. Y. (2014). Cultural differences: A barrier to native English teachers in English as a foreign language contexts. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 30(1), 63–72. https://js.vnu.edu.vn/FS/article/view/443/421

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Duyen, H. T. M. (2025). The influence of Vietnamese culture on English language acquisition: Learners’ perspectives. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 7(10), 2025487. https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2025487

[1] Ara, R. (2017). Effects of native culture on learning English as a foreign language in Bangladesh: A case study. International Journal of Advanced Research and Review, 2(12), 7–24. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu

[2] Bond, M. H. (1991). Beyond the Chinese face. Oxford University Press.

[3] Brick, J., & Louie, G. (1984). Language and culture: Vietnam. Commonwealth of Australia.

[4] Brown, H. D. (2001). Teaching by principles: An interactive approach to language pedagogy. Pearson Education.

[5] Brown, H. D. (2007). Principles of language learning and teaching (5th ed.). Pearson Education.

[6] Burns, R. (1998). Doing business in Asia. Longman.

[7] Dang, T. M. T., & Norris, L. (2024). Vietnamese culture of learning and its implications for English language education. Language – Culture, 60(10), 97–103. https://jst-haui.vn/media/31/uffile-upload-no-title31709.pdf

[8] Duong, T. B., Diller, A., & Sutherland, K. (1975). A handbook for teachers of Vietnamese students: Hints for dealing with cultural differences in schools. Center for Applied Linguistics.

[9] Ellis, C. (1995). Culture shock!: Vietnam. Graphic Arts Books.

[10] Ellis, R. (1997). Second language acquisition. Oxford University Press.

[11] Gudykunst, B. W., & Kim, Y. Y. (2003). Communicating with strangers (4th ed.). McGraw Hill.

[12] Gudykunst, W. B. (1991). Bridging differences: Effective intergroup communication. Sage.

[13] Hofstede, G. (1991). Cultures and organizations. McGraw-Hill.

[14] Holliday, A. (1994). Appropriate methodology and social context. Cambridge University Press.

[15] Karlık, M. (2023). Exploring the impact of culture on language learning: How understanding cultural context and values can deepen language acquisition. International Journal of Language, Linguistics, Literature and Culture, 2(5), 5–11. https://doi.org/10.59009/ijlllc.2023.0035

[16] Kim, U., Triandis, H. C., Kagitcibasi, C., Choi, S. C., & Yoon, G. (Eds.). (1994). Individualism and collectivism: Theory, method, and applications. Sage.

[17] McLaren, M. (1998). Interpreting culture differences. Peter Francis Publishers.

[18] Pae, H. K. (2020). The East and the West. In Script effects as the hidden drive of the mind, cognition, and culture (pp. 107–134). Springer.

[19] The Vietnamese Politburo. (2024). Conclusion No. 91-KL/TW on the continued implementation of Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW. Vietnam.

[20] Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating across cultures. The Guilford Press.

[21] Vo, T. H. Y. (2014). Cultural differences: A barrier to native English teachers in English as a foreign language contexts. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 30(1), 63–72. https://js.vnu.edu.vn/FS/article/view/443/421

Abstract

References

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