Motivational Teaching Strategies:

Perceptions of Vocational School EFL Teachers and Students

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60087/jklst.v4.n2.002

Keywords:

motivational teaching strategies, EFL teacher perceptions , EFL student perceptions, vocational education

Abstract

This study investigates EFL teachers’ and students’ perceptions of motivational teaching strategies at a vocational school in Khanh Hoa Province. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from five teachers and 300 students through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews during the 2024-2025 academic year. The findings reveal that both groups highly value strategies such as supportive teacher behavior, encouragement, recognition of effort, and a comfortable learning environment. Teachers also emphasized goal-setting and meaningful tasks, while students appreciated emotional support and structured, confidence-building activities. Although both groups shared similar views, teachers were slightly more supportive of promoting learner autonomy. Strategies involving fantasy or high difficulty were less favored. The study highlights the need for a balanced approach that blends structure, encouragement, and clear goals to enhance motivation in vocational EFL classrooms.

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Author Biographies

  • Nguyen Tien Phung, Quy Nhon University, Quy Nhon City, Vietnam

    Dr. Nguyen Tien Phung is Senior lecturer at Quy Nhon University. Phung’s research interests include multimodality, Appraisal and TESOL. Phung has been working with Len Unsworth from Australian Catholic University and Thu Ngo from the University of New South Wales to have their book chapter published with Routledge in April 2025 in the book titled Multiliteracies, Multimodality and Learning by Design in Second Language Learning and Teacher Education.

  • Tran Thị Thanh Truyen, Khanh Hoa Economics College, Nha Trang City, Vietnam

    Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Truyen is a lecturer of English at Khanh Hoa Economics College. She has been delivering lectures to vocational students at this higher education institution for eight years. She is going to get her Master degree of English language teaching in June, 2025. Her research interest includes TESOL in the context of English teaching and learning in Vietnam.

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Published

15-05-2025

Data Availability Statement

The survey data has been shown in Table 1 and 2 of the article.

How to Cite

Nguyen, P., & Tran, T. (2025). Motivational Teaching Strategies:: Perceptions of Vocational School EFL Teachers and Students. Journal of Knowledge Learning and Science Technology ISSN: 2959-6386 (online), 4(2), 18-28. https://doi.org/10.60087/jklst.v4.n2.002

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