As for the second year students at HUI Nghe An campus, ESP in general , and English for Finance and Banking in particular is extremely important because the students are expected to beco
Challenges in ESP Reading Comprehension
Language problems
Language is crucial for effective reading, especially in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) A learner's proficiency in English directly impacts their reading skills and comprehension Poor language knowledge hinders the ability to make accurate predictions and associations, complicating the reading process Additionally, memory retention in a foreign language is often less effective than in one's native tongue, making it challenging to recall previous cues Throughout the learning process, interference from the native language can further impede reading proficiency.
Foreign language learners often face challenges in the reading process primarily due to their limited proficiency in the target language and the interference from their native language.
It is agreed that a lack of appropriate linguistics constrains the transfer of reading skills and strategies from L1 to L2
Reading texts presents challenges for readers, particularly when faced with unfamiliar topics, vocabulary, and grammatical structures The presence of idioms, proverbs, synonyms, and antonyms can significantly affect readers' motivation For second or foreign language learners, a strong grasp of vocabulary and sentence structures is essential for comprehension When their vocabulary is limited, readers often struggle to understand the text, leading to a reluctance to engage further with the material.
Reading skill problems 14 1.6 Summary 15
Limited reading skills among students lead to various challenges, including slow reading speeds and difficulties in understanding and summarizing main ideas Often, students reading in a foreign language experience a significant slowdown compared to their first language This can result in discouragement, especially for those who struggle to transition their focus from groupings of words to the overall meaning, as they tend to fixate on individual words Additionally, even when students possess a strong vocabulary and are familiar with the topic, they may struggle with concentration, making it difficult to recall information from lengthy texts.
Reading is an active skill that requires guessing and predicting, making it essential for language learners to engage with new vocabulary, structures, and ideas Without strong guessing abilities and the ability to utilize grammatical, logical, and cultural clues, learners may struggle to comprehend texts fully, leading to frustration and a potential loss of interest in reading.
This chapter establishes a theoretical framework for the study, offering a comprehensive overview of reading, including definitions of reading and reading comprehension, as well as classifications based on reading purposes Additionally, it explores the definition of English for Specific Purposes (ESP), outlines the objectives of teaching and learning reading in the context of Finance and Banking at HUI Nghe An campus, and discusses various teaching approaches and techniques The chapter also addresses the challenges faced in ESP reading comprehension.
This chapter introduces the context of Ho Chi Minh city University of Industry Nghe
An campus where the study is conducted Then the research methodology chosen for achievement of the aims and objectives will be discussed in details
Ho Chi Minh city University of Industry ( HUI ) is originated from College of Industry IV, which dated in 2004 with six different branches from Thai Binh province to
Ho Chi Minh University of Industry (HUI) has a branch in Nghe An province, offering the same training programs as its main campus in Ho Chi Minh City The Nghe An campus focuses on providing diverse educational opportunities in various fields, including accounting, auditing, information technology, mechanical engineering, and banking.
At HUI Nghe An campus, English is viewed not as a primary subject but as a vital tool for effective communication in students' future careers The English for Specific Purposes (ESP) program encompasses three key fields: English in Economics, Electrical Engineering, Petrochemical Engineering, and Automotive Engineering Technology Prior to enrolling in the ESP course, students undergo a General English program in their first year, gaining foundational knowledge relevant to their majors In their second year, they transition to specialized English in Finance and Banking, which is designed to meet specific educational goals.
- To provide the students with some terminologies relating to their Finance and Banking
- To improve the students‟ reading skills so as to help them approach ESP materials effectively
For the Finance and Banking students, they also set for themselves two goals in learning English in Finance and Banking:
- To get good marks in three tests during the term and in the end-term exams
- To meet the society‟s demand is to communicate with foreigners or to read materials written in English
At the HUI Nghe An campus, a dedicated team of five English teachers, aged 27 to 30, brings a wealth of experience, ranging from 4 to 8 years With degrees from esteemed institutions such as Ha Noi Foreign Languages University, Hue Foreign Languages University, and Vinh University, two teachers hold M.A degrees while the others are pursuing their master's studies Committed to effective language teaching, they actively engage in research and discussions to adopt progressive teaching methods In addition to standard textbooks, they incorporate supplementary and adapted materials to enhance lesson engagement and authenticity Recognizing the significance of communicative activities, these educators consistently integrate them into their classes to foster a dynamic learning environment.
At the HUI Nghe An campus, the vocational training college of Finance and Banking attracts students from various regions of the province, including those from rural areas with limited English learning opportunities While some students have completed several years of English study in urban settings, the overall English proficiency remains low, with many focusing on reading specialized documents rather than engaging in conversation Students face pressures to excel in exams, yet many are motivated to enhance their specialized knowledge in English for Specific Purposes (ESP), which is crucial for their future careers The familiarity with specialized content in Vietnamese aids in their English learning, boosting their confidence to interact in ESP classes.
In English for Specific Purposes (ESP) teaching and learning, there are two primary sources of materials: commercial (published) materials and in-house materials Commercial materials, produced by publishers, are advantageous as they are designed to enhance communication skills in English and offer globally available resources tailored for specific contexts.
The in-house materials which are written by the teachers in the training institution with the view to teaching in their training institution only
At HUI Nghe An campus, the teaching and learning of English for Finance and Banking primarily utilize published materials, as university education requires a structured and systematic approach The officially selected books for Banking English instruction at this campus ensure a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
- Banking transaction by Radice,F., Macmillan Professional English, 1989
- English for Banking and Finance, compiled by Associate Professor Phan Thi Cuc, Ph.D and Ho Nguyet Thanh, M.A., edited by Scott Brantley, M.S.O.M
At the HUI Nghe An campus, the curriculum for Banking English is divided into two parts: Part I focuses on Banking Transaction, while Part II covers English for Banking and Finance College students are required to complete Banking English Part I, whereas university students study both parts The course structure includes 75 periods dedicated to Banking English Part I and 30 periods for Banking English Part II.
"Banking Transaction," authored by F Radice and published by Macmillan Professional English in 1989, comprises ten units focused on various banking specializations, including cheques, plastic money, interbank electronics, and factoring services This comprehensive resource offers essential insights into banking operations and the professional knowledge required for bankers to effectively perform their duties in the banking sector.
The book features sections dedicated to reading, listening, and speaking practice, with the speaking component titled "Discussion." Each discussion includes questions that precede the reading and listening activities, formatted as either "questions-answers" or "True-False statements" to engage students with the main ideas of the texts This approach encourages students to express their opinions on banking services and operations among banks, serving as a lead-in to the subsequent reading or listening materials Each unit comprises three to five reading passages of 400 to 500 words, focusing on complex grammar that necessitates a strong command of reading skills and the English language The reading passages are organized into short paragraphs that detail various banking operations, with key terms highlighted for emphasis Students are required to employ scanning and intensive reading skills to understand the business procedures outlined Following the reading passages, exercises are provided for vocabulary and terminology practice, including gap-filling, matching definitions, and multiple-choice questions "Banking Transaction" is specifically tailored for students aspiring to work in the banking sector post-graduation, equipping them with essential vocabulary and familiarity with specialized texts necessary for their future studies.
The book "English for Banking and Finance" is a meticulously compiled and practical resource that provides readers with essential English language skills tailored for the banking and finance sectors This updated guide enhances professional competence, enabling individuals to thrive in a globally integrated economy.
- to assist students in reading and understanding English texts related to their specific majors
- to provide them with a chance to develop their skills including reading, speaking, writing, and listening skills
- to familiarize them with different texts and appropriate strategies to master texts and to complete the exercises
This book features eight essential units, each containing a diverse array of exercises tailored for pre-reading, while-reading, and post-reading activities Every unit is centered around a specific reading selection, with tasks intricately linked to the text to enhance students' comprehension and engagement with the material.
This book aims to teach the English language through selected topics, particularly focusing on Banking and Finance, including themes like Inflation and Commercial Banking Each unit features a critical case study to engage readers, while exercises enhance vocabulary related to the field An extensive glossary at the back provides easy access to essential terms in Banking and Finance The authors have researched both traditional and modern materials from domestic and international sources to create this comprehensive resource To further enhance its quality, Scott Brantley, M.S.O.M, a representative from Madison School Professional Development in the U.S.A, has been invited to edit the book.