Transforming TESOL Practices through Cognitive Psychology: A Collaborative Action Research Study on Working Memory and Growth Mindset
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52296/vje.2025.563-
Downloads
How to Cite
Abstract
The current collaborative action research investigates the application of cognitive psychology principles in enhancing language learning in secondary English classrooms. It emphasizes how teachers, with a better understanding of cognitive processes, can implement strategies informed by cognitive psychology to improve student learning outcomes. Focusing on a single teacher and a cohort of secondary school learners in Grade 7 over the course of one semester, the study integrates action research in promoting teacher critical reflection. Cognitive and educational psychology principles are translated into practical strategies related to course planning, syllabi, lead-in activities, feedback, and learning-focused assessments. The findings suggest that teacher understanding about cognitive and educational psychological factors such as attention, working memory and growth mindset can play a critical role in enhancing language learning. For students, these strategies lead to improved engagement, greater agency and test anxiety alleviation. For the teacher, a deeper understanding of cognitive principles provides greater control over the teaching process and facilitates the development of effective teaching strategies. This research underscores the critical and practical role of collaborations between researchers and TESOL practitioners in comprehending cognitive factors to effectively implement learner-centered teaching methods and activities, thereby cultivating a highly responsive and impactful learning environment.
Downloads
References
Baddeley, A. (2000). The episodic buffer: a new component of working memory? Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 4(11), 417-423. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1364-6613(00)01538-2
Barnard, R. (2019). Building teacher capacity for ELT in Vietnam: Ways forward. In Le, V. C., & Roger, B. (2019), Building Teacher Capacity in English Language Teaching in Vietnam (pp. 184-196). Routledge.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Burns, A., & Dikilitaş, K. (2024). The Routledge handbook of language teacher action research. Taylor & Francis.
Burns, A., Edwards, E., & Ellis, N. J. (2022). Sustaining Action Research: A practical guide for institutional engagement. Routledge.
Cantwell, E. R., Sousou, J., Jadotte, Y. T., Pierce, J., & Akioyamen, L. E. (2017). PROTOCOL: Collaborative Testing for Improving Student Learning Outcomes and Test‐Taking Performance in Higher Education: A Systematic review. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 13(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.186
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.132.3.354
Cirocki, A., Indrarathne, B., & McCulloch, S. (2024). Cognitive and Educational Psychology for TESOL. Springer.
Dudzik, D. (2008). Professional Practitioners with Adaptive Expertise: Teacher Development in Djibouti. University of Minnesota, 109-135.
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random house.
Fathi, J., Pawlak, M., Kruk, M., & Mohammaddokht, F. (2024). Exploring the relations among foreign language enjoyment, ideal L2 self, grit, and growth mindset in EFL learners: A cross-lagged analysis. Language Teaching Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/13621688241265546
Frankish, K., & Ramsey, W. (2012). The Cambridge handbook of cognitive science. Cambridge University Press.
Groome, D. (1999). An introduction to cognitive psychology: Processes and disorders. Psychology Press.
Harmer, J. (2015). The practice of English language teaching (With DVD). Pearson.
Hu, X., Sidhu, G. K., & Lu, X. (2022). Relationship between growth mindset and English language performance among Chinese EFL university students: the mediating roles of grit and foreign language enjoyment. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.935506
Karpicke, J. D., & Blunt, J. R. (2011). Retrieval Practice Produces More Learning than Elaborative Studying with Concept Mapping. Science, 331(6018), 772-775. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1199327
Kasi, F. (2010). Collaborative action research: An alternative model for EFL teacher professional development in Pakistan. Asian EFL Journal, 12(3), 98-117.
Lou, N. M., & Noels, K. A. (2020). Mindsets matter for linguistic minority students: growth mindsets foster greater perceived proficiency, especially for newcomers. Modern Language Journal, 104(4), 739-756. https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12669
Luttenberg, J., Meijer, P., & Oolbekkink-Marchand, H. (2016). Understanding the complexity of teacher reflection in action research. Educational Action Research, 25(1), 88-102. https://doi.org/10.1080/09650792.2015.1136230
Luu, B. N., Phuong, H. Y., Ly, T. B. P., & Vo, P. Q. (2017). Factors inhibiting teachers from research engagement: A review. Can Tho University Journal of Science, 6, 17-22. https://doi.org/10.22144/ctu.jen.2017.022
Marsden, E., & Kasprowicz, R. (2017). Foreign language educators’ exposure to research: reported experiences, exposure via citations, and a proposal for action. Modern Language Journal, 101(4), 613-642. https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12426
McBride, D. M., Cutting, J. C., & Zimmerman, C. (2022). Cognitive psychology: Theory, process, and methodology: Sage Publications.
Mercer, S., & Kostoulas, A. (2018). Language Teacher Psychology. In Multilingual Matters eBooks. https://doi.org/10.21832/9781783099467
Mercer, S., & Ryan, S. (2009). A mindset for EFL: learners’ beliefs about the role of natural talent. ELT Journal, 64(4), 436-444. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccp083
Nguyen, N. T. (2023). Vietnamese high school EFL Learners’ language Mindsets: Exploring the Impact of Demographic Factors. European Journal of English Language Teaching, 8(2), 113-126.
Pavlik, P. I., & Anderson, J. R. (2008). Using a model to compute the optimal schedule of practice. Journal of Experimental Psychology Applied, 14(2), 101-117. https://doi.org/10.1037/1076-898x.14.2.101
Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2010.09.003
Rohrer, D., & Pashler, H. (2007). Increasing retention without increasing study time. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 16(4), 183-186. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2007.00500.x
Saeb, F., Nejadansari, D., & Moinzadeh, A. (2021). The Impact of Action Research on Teacher Professional Development: Perspectives from Iranian EFL Teachers. DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals). https://doi.org/10.22132/tel.2021.143114
Schlicht-Schmälzle, R., Hill, J., Folkvord, K. A., Tharaldsen, K. B., Wargo, J., Hartmann, U., & Révai, N. (2024). Bridging the research-practice gap in education: Initiatives from 3 OECD countries. OECD.
Siegel, M., Roberts, T., Freyermuth, S., Witzig, S., & Izci, K. (2015). Research and Teaching: Aligning assessment to instruction: Collaborative group testing in Large-Enrollment Science classes. Journal of College Science Teaching, 044(06). https://doi.org/10.2505/4/jcst15_044_06_74
Terai, M., Yamashita, J., & Pasich, K. E. (2021). Effects of learning direction in retrieval practice on EFL vocabulary learning. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 43(5), 1116-1137. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0272263121000346
Tran, T. T. H. (2024). The impacts of positive emotions on English language learning at Thanh Dong University. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 40(6), 132-151. https://doi.org/10.63023/2525-2445/jfs.ulis.5241
Tran, T. Y., Nguyen, T. M. H., & Huynh, A. T. (2024). Exploring the social and emotional aspects of teaching and learning English as a foreign language. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 40(1), 166-187. https://doi.org/10.63023/2525-2445/jfs.ulis.5185
Vu, M. T., & O’Rourke, J. (2013). Vietnam English Teacher Competency Framework: Implementation Considerations. British Council East Asia “Teacher Competency Frameworks: Developing Excellence in Teaching”. http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1065608
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Vietnam Journal of Education

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.