Class 27 students from the Faculty of Foreign Languages defend their graduation theses

On the morning of May 29, 2025, the Faculty of Foreign Languages at Van Lang University organized a graduation thesis defense for thirty students of Class 27 majoring in English Language and Chinese Language.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Phan The Hung, Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, emphasized the significance of the graduation thesis in each student’s academic journey: “The thesis is not only a requirement for graduation but also a testament to students’ ability to conduct independent research, use academic foreign languages proficiently, as well as demonstrate critical and creative thinking. It reflects the culmination of a comprehensive accumulation of knowledge and skills. I hope that today’s defense will allow the faculty members of the evaluation committee to provide objective assessments and valuable feedback, helping students refine their research and inspiring them to further pursue their professional development”.

During this thesis defense, students presented a wide range of topics addressing contemporary linguistic issues, reflecting the diversity and up-to-date nature of their research orientations. Several research groups also explored interdisciplinary themes, such as the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in supporting English language students’ translation skills. These studies assessed the effectiveness, applicability, and limitations of using AI tools in academic settings.

Among the theses exploring academic communication skills, the research by student Vo Huynh Anh Nhu, titled “Towards a Unified Understanding: Exploring University Students' Perceptions of Improving English Public Speaking Competence through TED Talks”, drew notable attention from the evaluation committee. From the learners' perspective, the study focuses on exploring university students’ perceptions and evaluations of using TED Talks as a tool to support the development of English public speaking skills. 

Through surveys and qualitative analysis, the study revealed that TED Talks provided a rich source of academic and inspirational language material, while also helping learners develop their delivery style, speech structure, and persuasive communication skills. The thesis contributed to promoting a practical approach to teaching speaking skills, encouraging the integration of open educational resources into the curriculum to enhance professional communication competence among English language majors.

With thorough preparation and a serious mindset, the theses effectively met the requirements of specialized knowledge, demonstrated high practical relevance, and reflected well-structured investment in both academic content and the research implementation process. The review panel raised numerous professional questions, focusing on key aspects such as research methodology, logical consistency in arguments, and the reliability of the findings. The constructive feedback served as valuable lessons for students to further refine their theses and continue developing their research mindset in the future.

News: Nguyen Khang
Photos: Huu Khang