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Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 16. Number 4, December 2025 Pp.90-106
Faculty of Foreign Languages, Ho Chi Minh University of Banking, Vietnam
Faculty of Foreign Languages, Thu Dau Mot University,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Faculty of Foreign Languages, Ba Ria - Vung Tau College of Education,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
This study examines how effectively the File-Card Model (Erteschik-Shir, 2007, 2016) can be applied to teaching and learning advanced English speaking skills among third-year English-major students in Vietnam. The reserachers conducted a quasi-experimental study with 30 participants divided into an experimental and a control group over eight weeks. The experimental group received explicit instruction through five stages, including topic mapping, focus marking, topic chaining, counterargument retrieval, and closing summary. The the control group, in contrast, followed the standard Speaking four syllabus. Data from pre- and post-test pair debates were analyzed using quantitative (t-tests) and qualitative discourse analysis, focusing on two indices: Topic Chaining Index (TCI) and Focus Shift Effectiveness (FSE). Results indicated significant improvements in the experimental group (TCI +23.1%, FSE +21.4%, p < .001). Students displayed smoother topic transitions, more explicit focus signaling, and stronger argumentative coherence. The study contributes theoretically by supporting the topic–focus interface in information structure and pedagogically by demonstrating that the File-Card Model provides a cognitive-linguistic framework to enhance coherence, fluency, and persuasiveness in EFL speaking. It also proposes TCI and FSE as effective discourse-level measures for evaluating oral proficiency in academic speaking training contexts.
Phuong, H. T.B., Du, T.T., & The, N.H. (2025). Applying the File-Card Model in Teaching and Learning English Speaking Skills for English-Majored Students. Arab World English Journal, 16(4): 90-106
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Dr. Huynh Thi Bich Phuong is currently a lecturer at the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Ho Chi Minh University of Banking (HUB), Vietnam. She holds her M.A. in TESOL and her Ph.D. in Contrastive Linguistics, both from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City. She specializes in teaching methodology, contrastive linguistics, and applied linguistics. She has also been a reviewer for some national journals. Her research interests include language skills, English teaching methodology, language testing and assessment, pragmatics, and the interplay between language, culture, and society. Her published works focus on both linguistic studies and issues related to TESOL Email: phuonghtb@hub.edu.vn; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5142-629X
Dr Tran Thanh Du specializes in both TESOL methodologies and Contrastive Linguistics. He is currently a lecturer at the Faculty of Foreign Languages at Thu Dau Mot University in Vietnam. He takes his interests in studies of linguistics, sociolinguistics, pragmatics, learner motivation, and English language teaching methodologies. His publications concentrate on both linguistic research and TESOL-related issues.. He endeavors to improve language use in general, and English language teaching and learning in global contexts. Email: dutt@tdmu.edu.vn; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7802-9949
Nguyen Huu The is a Doctor of Contrastive Linguistics. He is currently a lecturer at the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Ba Ria – Vung Tau College of Education, Vietnam. His primary areas of expertise are TESOL and Contrastive linguistics. His research interests are linguistics, semantics, stylistics, pragmatics, and English language teaching methodologies. All of his published works focus on linguistic research as well as topics related to TESOL. Email: huuthecdsp@gmail.com;
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2075-6793