With the rapid advancement of AI, its integration into EFL education has become increasingly prominent. This small-scale study provides insights from a Taiwanese higher education context, drawing on both EFL teachers’ and students’ perspectives. Guided by Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), the study examines how AI is used to support language learning tasks, involving varying levels of cognitive load, and explores its potential role in managing learners’ cognitive processing demands. A mixed-methods approach was employed, with quantitative and qualitative data collected through questionnaires. The study also explores patterns of AI usage, perceptions of its effectiveness, challenges encountered, and attitudes toward its future role in English education. The findings indicate that AI has become a widely used support tool in EFL learning. Students primarily use AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Grammarly, for writing, information searching, and grammar support, i.e., tasks that typically impose high intrinsic cognitive load on EFL learners. In contrast, teachers mainly employ AI for lesson preparation, material design, and efficiency enhancement, thereby reducing extraneous cognitive load. Although both groups hold positive attitudes toward AI integration, teachers demonstrate a more cautious approach due to concerns regarding usability, pedagogical alignment, data privacy, and potential students’ overreliance. From a CLT perspective, the results suggest that while AI can reduce extraneous cognitive load and provide procedural support, excessive dependence on AI may limit learners’ germane cognitive load by reducing their active engagement in language processing. Students largely agree that AI cannot replace human teachers, particularly in areas involving emotional support, interaction, and guidance. The data indicate that effective AI integration requires institutional support, professional training, and the development of digital literacy to ensure a balanced, human-centered approach to AI-enhanced EFL education.

This mixed-methods study examines how fourth-year English majors at Thu Dau Mot University engage in Zalo-based classroom discussions. Using a convergent parallel design, data were collected through a questionnaire (N = 112) and semi-structured interviews (N = 8) to explore behavioral, cognitive, and emotional dimensions of engagement. Findings reveal that Zalo is primarily used for task coordination and passive monitoring, with limited proactive discussion. Students value its functions for planning and language accuracy but perceive discussions as low in intellectual depth. Emotionally, Zalo fosters social connection and comfort in interacting with peers and lecturers but also introduces pressure to keep up and reluctance to express dissent. The study highlights Zalo’s dual role as a facilitator of convenience and a constraint on deeper learning, suggesting the need for intentional instructional design to promote critical thinking and inclusive dialogue.

Undergraduate research is widely recognized as a meaningful practice that develops students’ critical thinking, problem‑solving, and science identity, yet student engagement remains uneven due to multiple factors. To address this issue, this mixed-methods study examines undergraduate students’ engagement in research at a Vietnamese university, focusing on their attitudes, perceived support, and intentions to participate. Survey data (N = 164) and interviews (N = 8) reveal a clear divide between students’ positive views of research outcomes and their ambivalence toward the research process. Although students believe lecturers are supportive, they report low comfort in seeking help, limited peer encouragement, and little awareness of institutional research policies. Students express moderate intention to conduct a research project but show strong reluctance toward presenting or publishing their work. The qualitative findings highlight psychological barriers, unclear pathways, and an outcome-oriented mindset. The study argues that current support structures are passive and insufficient. Institutions should implement more visible, structured mentorship to strengthen students’ confidence and foster a more active undergraduate research culture.

Abstract This study examines how ChatGPT influences high school students’ cognitive and behavioral engagement in Physics learning, drawing on survey data from 251 students at Vo Minh Duc High School in Ho Chi Minh City. Although generative AI is increasingly adopted in education, little is known about how Vietnamese students use ChatGPT in a cognitively demanding subject like Physics-representing a notable research gapin a cognitively demanding subject like Physics, which represents a notable research gap. Using a mixed-methods design, the study explores how students employ ChatGPT, how they perceive its usefulness and reliability, and how its use shapes learning behaviors. Findings indicate that students commonly use ChatGPT as a self-study aid and perceive it as helpful for understanding complex concepts, yet many express concerns about accuracy and show signs of overreliance when using the tool without guidance. The study highlights the dual impact of ChatGPT-supporting learning while potentially reducing independent thinking-and contributes evidence potentially reducing independent thinking and contributes evidence to inform AI literacy development, teacher training, and pedagogical frameworks for responsible integration of generative AI in secondary education.

The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education is rapidly transforming the teaching and learning landscape in Vietnam. AI technology is being integrated into various educational platforms to provide personalized learning experiences, support educators, and enhance the overall efficiency of the education system. In Vietnam, AI is utilized to develop adaptive learning programs, intelligent tutoring systems, and automated administrative processes. AI-powered tools such as virtual teaching assistants and chatbots are also being employed to offer real-time support and feedback to students. Furthermore, AI-driven data analytics is used to monitor and improve student performance and engagement levels. AI assists teachers in automating grading, reducing assessment time, and enabling speech recognition systems to evaluate students’ English-speaking skills. These innovations contribute to a more dynamic, interactive, and inclusive educational environment. However, challenges such as data privacy concerns, the digital divide, and the demand for a skilled workforce remain significant. Addressing these issues is crucial for the sustainable integration of AI into Vietnam’s education sector.

Digital transformation in education is an inevitable trend and has been increasingly promoted in Vietnam over the past few years. The application of digital games in mathematics instruction not only alleviates students’ stress and pressure but also fosters engagement and motivation in the learning process. This paper clarifies key concepts related to digital games as well as presents a set of principles and a design process for digital games using the web-based application Pink Cat Games. Based on a proposed four-step process, the paper illustrates the design of a digital game integrated with the mathematics curriculum for second grade. The findings of this research are to provide practical guidance for teachers in designing digital educational games, thereby augmenting the effectiveness of their pedagogical practices.

Effective English communication remains a significant challenge for non-English major students at many Vietnamese universities, often hindering their academic and professional development. This study explores the key difficulties faced by non-English majors at Thu Dau Mot University in English communication and their engagement in classroom speaking activities. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study collected data from 100 students through questionnaires and interviews. The findings reveal four primary challenges: limited vocabulary, pronunciation difficulties, overreliance on the native language, and lack of confidence. These issues not only affect students’ ability to express themselves in English but also reduce their participation in classroom activities. Despite these obstacles, the study found that active engagement in speaking activities positively impacts students’ learning outcomes, highlighting the importance of supportive and interactive teaching methods. Engagement varied, with students demonstrating greater participation in structured activities than in spontaneous speaking tasks. Based on the findings, the study provides recommendations for fostering a more engaging and effective learning environment.

The study aims to explore factors influencing middle school students' motivation to learn. Instead of assuming a general decline in motivation, it objectively examines the issue through research, identifying key influences such as curriculum difficulty, teaching methods, and external pressures. By analyzing survey data from eighth-grade students at Chu Van An Middle School, the study provides evidence-based insights into the challenges affecting student engagement in learning. This research aims to identify the factors affecting the learning motivation of middle school students to help them become more engaged in their studies. In this study, the author designed a survey questionnaire of 8 questions combined with a quantitative method to identify the factors causing a lack of interest in learning among middle school students. The survey was conducted at Chu Van An Middle School in Binh Duong Province. The survey participants were 375 eighth-grade students in the 2024-2025 academic year. According to the survey, 184 male students felt uninterested in learning due to various factors, accounting for 49.07%; 157 female students, accounting for 41.87%; and 34 students of other genders, accounting for 9.07%. Given this situation, it is urgent to propose feasible solutions to help students regain interest in learning.

English language proficiency is crucial for academic and professional success, with effective communication skills playing a pivotal role. Collaborative teaching methods, particularly group work, can significantly enhance students' creativity, evaluation, synthesis, analysis, and comparison, as well as problem-solving, essential for developing collaborative abilities. Furthermore, non-English major students often struggle to develop their speaking skills due to limited practice opportunities. This study addresses this challenge by implementing group-work activities in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom. A mixed-methods approach was used to gather data including quantitative data collected through a questionnaire administered to 71 non-major students at Dong Nai Technology University and qualitative data came from semi-structured interviews. The results showed that group work significantly improved students' fluency, coherence, and confidence. Students reported increased motivation and engagement in speaking activities. These findings suggest that group-work activities effectively enhance speaking skills for non-English major students.