A VIETNAMESE-AMERICAN CROSS CULTURAL STUDY ON TYPICAL CLASSROOM BEHAVIORS OF STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY=

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study examines the classroom behaviors that Vietnamese and American students frequently display at university, the reasons for their demonstration and the appropriateness of those behaviors from the cultural perspective. In order to accomplish these purposes, 80 students were chosen as study samples. The data were collected by means of questionnaire combined with direct and indirect classroom observation. Results showed that both Vietnamese and American students favor the same behaviors such as raising hand when they want to say something, using cell phone and arriving class late. The major differences occur in the solution students find to the clarification for the ambiguity in the lesson they are having, the participation they perform during the lecture and the rituals Vietnamese students must follow in the classroom setting. It was indicated that the environment in Vietnamese classrooms is more formal than the counterparts in America, which is clearly reflected in several behaviors. Therefore, based on the findings, teachers and students in the two countries will be more aware of the similarities and differences in the classroom behaviors so that cultural differences will not prevent them from achieving their goals when teaching or studying in Vietnam or in America.