English-Majored Students' Perceptions of and Their Confidence in Collaboration Skills

Abstract

Collaboration skills have become increasingly vital for academic achievement and professional success in today’s interconnected world. This study investigates the perceptions of collaboration skills among Vietnamese English-majored students, focusing on two key aspects: their views on the importance of these skills and their confidence in applying them. A total of 70 students from the School of Foreign Languages at a university in the Mekong Delta participated in the research, including third- and fourth-year English majors. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study utilized a five-point Likert scale questionnaire alongside semi-structured interviews to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The findings reveal that while students generally place high importance on collaboration, especially in areas such as effective communication and teamwork, they report uneven levels of confidence when it comes to applying these skills in practice. Notably, many students expressed lower confidence in aspects like problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership during collaborative tasks. These findings suggest that although students understand the value of collaboration, they may lack sufficient practical training or exposure to real-world team dynamics. The study contributes to the existing body of literature by emphasizing the impact of traditional, lecture-based education on students' self-efficacy in collaboration. It calls for pedagogical reforms that prioritize student-centered learning approaches, such as project-based and cooperative learning, to cultivate both the recognition and application of collaboration skills. Ultimately, this research provides actionable insights for educators, curriculum designers, and policymakers seeking to better prepare students for collaborative environments in both academic and professional settings.