Singing to Enhance Pronunciation: A Qualitative Study of Vietnamese EFL Lecturers’ Experiences and Outcomes

Authors

  • Huong Tra Nguyen

    Department of French as a Foreign Language Teaching, School of Foreign Languages, Can Tho University, 411, 3/2 Street, Hung Loi, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho 94115, Vietnam
  • Pham Trut Thuy

    Faculty of Foreign Languages, Nam Can Tho University, 168, Lengthened Nguyen Van Cu Street, An Binh, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho 94115, Vietnam
  • Hoang Yen Phuong

    Department of English Language and Culture, School of Foreign Languages, Can Tho University, 411, 3/2 Street, Hung Loi, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho 94115, Vietnam
  • Thanh Thao Le

    Department of English Language and Culture, Can Tho University, 411, 3/2 Street, Hung Loi, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho 94115, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i5.9431
Received: 10 April 2025 | Revised: 24 April 2025 | Accepted: 27 April 2025 | Published Online: 10 May 2025

Abstract

This qualitative study investigates the impact of singing on the pronunciation skills of Vietnamese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) lecturers. With a focus on a purposively selected group of nine teachers across different career stages from two educational institutions in Vietnam, the research aims to explore how integrating singing into language teaching influences pronunciation teaching and learning. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis, framed by the Sociocultural Theory of Language Learning and the Phonological Theory of Second Language Acquisition. Key findings reveal that singing significantly enhances pronunciation awareness among lecturers, increases motivation and engagement in pronunciation practice, and effectively addresses specific pronunciation challenges faced by Vietnamese speakers. These outcomes highlight the potential of singing as a dynamic tool for pronunciation practice, beneficial not only for students but also for teachers in their professional development. The study also identifies a heightened awareness of English phonetic patterns and an improved ability to teach and practice these aspects in a Vietnamese EFL context. The findings have important implications for EFL education, particularly in contexts with significant phonological differences from English, advocating for the incorporation of culturally relevant and engaging teaching methods such as singing in language education.

Keywords:

A Qualitative Study; Experiences; Pronunciation; Singing; Vietnamese EFL Lecturers

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How to Cite

Huong Tra Nguyen, Pham Trut Thuy, Hoang Yen Phuong, & Thanh Thao Le. (2025). Singing to Enhance Pronunciation: A Qualitative Study of Vietnamese EFL Lecturers’ Experiences and Outcomes. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(5), 825–834. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i5.9431

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 5 (May 2025)

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Article

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Copyright © 2025 Huong Tra Nguyen, PhamaTrut Thuy Pham, Hoang Yen Phuong, Thanh Thao Le

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.