The Attitude of Pre-Intermediate Students in Using Google Translate as a Learning Tool During In-class Writing Lessons

Authors

  • Vu Minh Thu Dang SaiGon University (SGU)
  • Duong Nguyen Industrial University - HCM City
  • Tam Nguyen Hoang Thanh

Keywords:

Google Translate, learning aid, students’ perception, writing assignments

Abstract

This study examines the opinions and behaviors of tertiary-level students toward the use of Google Translate (GT) during writing assignments. GT has reportedly obtained the attention of several scholars in terms of how and why language learners are using it for writing assignments (Chompurach, 2021), which is the reason why this study was conducted. This research aims to explore students’ perception of the accuracy and frequency of the use of GT and their feedback in general during writing assignments. The study employed a mixed-method approach, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods. In the data collection process, a set of survey questions and a semi-structured interview that have been adapted from a previous study were delivered to 204 participants and 8 interviewees, who are freshmen and sophomore students at the Industrial University - Ho Chi Minh City (IUH). The findings of this research indicate that nearly all surveyed students acclaimed the effectiveness of GT, which could serve as a regular learning tool during writing tasks because it can ensure the accuracy of the translated texts, while only a low proportion of participants were concerned about its effectiveness. The evidence would provide English teachers with an understanding of how GT has been viewed by students, from which any modifications to teaching methods of writing skills would be generated to ensure the students’ confidence level.

Author Biographies

  • Vu Minh Thu Dang, SaiGon University (SGU)

    My full name is Dang Vu Minh Thu and I have been working as a full-time lecturer at the Department of Foreign Languages at Saigon University. My specialization is teaching English for academic purposes including IELTS and VSTEP. I received a Master's degree in TESOL from Open University, HCMC in 2019 and I am interested in the research of technology in English teaching, language assessment, and teacher professional development. In 2020, I conducted an action research on “Teachers’ perceptions of Top Notch as a textbook for EFL classes”, which was published in the Proceedings of the 8th OpenTESOL International Conference.

  • Tam Nguyen Hoang Thanh

    M.A. Tam Nguyen has been working as a lecturer at Saigon University for over five years. She achieved a Master's Degree in Tesol acknowledged by the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. She put all her heart and soul into her work about “ Using Poster presentation as a promotion of learner autonomy at Saigon University” to investigate whether this application could cultivate students’ learning autonomy. In 2022, she conducted an action research “Project-based learning through travel vlogs in the field trip as a promotional of learner autonomy at Saigon University”, which was published in National Seminar Proceedings of Danang University.

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Published

21-10-2024

How to Cite

The Attitude of Pre-Intermediate Students in Using Google Translate as a Learning Tool During In-class Writing Lessons. (2024). VietTESOL International Convention Proceedings, 4(978-604-43-2496-8). https://proceedings.viettesol.org.vn/index.php/vic/article/view/139

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