English-majored students’ attitudes toward using authentic materials in learning English. (Thái độ của sinh viên chuyên ngành tiếng Anh đối với việc sử dụng tài liệu thực tế trong việc học tiếng Anh.)

Abstract

This study investigates the attitudes of English-majored students toward using authentic materials while learning English. It aims to examine students’ behavioural, cognitive, and affective attitudes towards authentic materials when applying them to learning English. Conducted at Can Tho University (CTU), one of the leading universities in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, the research involved 149 English-major students. To gather data, a comprehensive questionnaire was administered to assess students' attitudes across the three components, along with their experiences with authentic materials. A 5-point Likert scale was used to measure responses, while open-ended questions provided more profound insights into their attitudes. Additionally, interviews were conducted to validate the questionnaire findings. The results indicated that while students generally hold positive attitudes toward authentic materials, variations exist across the three attitude components. While many students exhibit strong behavioural and cognitive attitudes towards authentic materials, affective components such as motivation and personal preference play a crucial role in shaping their learning experiences. Based on these findings, specific recommendations were proposed to improve the integration of authentic materials in English learning. This study underscores the importance of fostering positive attitudes toward authentic materials and highlights their role in promoting effective language learning. By providing targeted suggestions, the research contributes to improving the quality of English teaching and learning.