"INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN VIETNAMESE EFL LEARNERS AND NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS:ACONVERSATION ANALYSIS OF INFLUENTIAL FACTORS AND STRATEGIES"

Abstract

"In the context of globalization, intercultural communication between Vietnamese EFL learners and native English speakers often faces challenges due to differences in language competence and culturally shaped conversational norms, which can lead to misunderstanding and communication breakdown. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the conversational strategies employed by Vietnamese EFL learners and native English speakers, identify how these strategies differ in sustaining intercultural interaction, and examine how cultural factors shape their use. A qualitative research design grounded in Conversation Analysis was adopted, utilizing 14 naturally occurring video-recorded conversations between 16 Vietnamese EFL students and 16 native English speakers at a tourist site in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. These conversations were transcribed and thematically analysed with a focus on turn-taking, backchannelling and self-initiated self-repair. Findings show that both groups shared key similarities, particularly in their use of the same core conversational strategies. However, notable differences emerged in the patterns and functions of these strategies. Their strategic choices were shaped not only by underlying cultural values but also by psychological factors, varying levels of language proficiency, and the communicative norms that guided their interactions. These findings highlight the importance of raising learners’ intercultural and pragmatic awareness, explicitly teaching interactional strategies, and supporting both fluency and cultural sensitivity to enhance effective communication in EFL contexts."