Resilience to withstand covid-19 crisis: Lessons from a foreign language institution in vietnam

ABSTRACT

The rapid switch to online teaching due to COVID-19 pandemic has caused major setbacks in the education sector worldwide. This paper explored the responses of a Foreign Language University in Vietnam amid this transition from a holistic approach, moving from the institution’s policies to realising such policies via administrative, supporting, and teaching staff’s implementation. It further examined high-experienced teachers’ use of technologies in their online teaching. Using semi-structured interviews with two administrative and supporting staff members and five English Foreign Language (EFL) lecturers, the study revealed critical themes in administrative and EFL teaching aspects. Regarding administration, the institution developed coherent policies, established the Response Team, and utilised ICT sustainably in their education system. The teaching practice includes thoughtful lesson design, constant support to students, and proactive coping with challenges. Initiatives taken at the institution and individual levels are also discussed. This study would provide practical and relevant lessons to global practitioners and to online education development in EFL programmes during and after COVID-19 pandemic. © 2021, CALL-EJ. All rights reserved.