This article investigates modality in UK news discourse on natural disasters, drawing on a corpus of 50 disaster-related news reports collected from five UK online newspapers. The corpus comprises 23,804 words, with an average length of 476 words per report. Methodologically, the study adopts a mixed-methods design, integrating qualitative descriptive analysis to identify, categorize, and interpret modal expressions in context with quantitative analysis to determine the frequency and distribution of modal resources across the corpus. All texts were annotated and statistically processed using UAM CorpusTool 6.2. The findings reveal that, out of 386 modal tokens, verbal modality overwhelmingly predominates (328 tokens; 85%), while nonverbal modality is comparatively limited (15%), suggesting hard-news reporting favors more determinate, less overtly subjective forms. Modal auxiliaries are the primary resource, led by will (70), can (50), could (43), and would (36). Adjectival modality is diverse but less frequent overall (28 items), with likely (12) most common, followed by possible (9) and unable/sure (7 each). Adverbial modality is rare, with only definitely (2) and maybe/possibly/perhaps (1 each). This paper advances applied linguistics theory and offers practical insights for improving journalistic communication in Vietnam.

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 administrative merger in Southeast Vietnam has fundamentally reshaped regional governance, spatial configurations, and development priorities, creating urgent requirements for a more integrated approach to science and technology (S&T) human resource development. To assess the implications of this restructuring, the study employs a mixed-methods design that combines institutional diagnostics, comparative policy analysis, and quantitative evaluation of workforce indicators. Empirical data are sourced from national statistical agencies, ministerial datasets, provincial development reports, and international benchmarking studies. The analysis focuses on the S&T workforce within the newly configured administrative units of expanded Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and Tay Ninh, examining competency structures, spatial distribution, coordination mechanisms, and post-merger system dynamics. The findings reveal significant disparities in qualification profiles, weak cross-provincial linkages in training and research, and limited alignment between workforce planning and emergent regional development trajectories. Despite these constraints, the merger presents opportunities to consolidate training capacity, strengthen innovation networks, and enhance talent mobility. The study argues for a coordinated regional S&T human resource strategy supported by institutional harmonization, a functionally differentiated training system, AI-enabled workforce planning tools, and expanded regional–national–international cooperation to advance a knowledge-based, climate-adaptive development pathway for Southeast Vietnam.

This study explores non-English major students’ perceptions of the ethical use and plagiarism risks associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in academic writing at Thu Dau Mot University. As AI technologies become increasingly integrated into higher education, concerns about academic integrity, authorship, and originality have intensified. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, data were collected from 108 students through questionnaires and from six participants via semi-structured interviews. Quantitative findings revealed that a majority of students acknowledged the importance of ethical AI use and expressed support for clearer institutional guidelines and teacher training on responsible AI integration. However, uncertainty persisted regarding the ethical boundaries between legitimate assistance and academic misconduct. Qualitative data reinforced these findings, highlighting students’ awareness of AI’s dual role in enhancing writing skills and posing plagiarism risks, particularly through diminished creativity and loss of personal voice. The study underscores the need for localized policies, updated plagiarism regulations, and pedagogical strategies to guide responsible AI use in EFL writing contexts.

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.

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.