Transforming TESOL Practices through Cognitive Psychology: A Collaborative Action Research Study on Working Memory and Growth Mindset

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 ps...

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Main Authors: Ha Thanh Le, Anh Tam Thi Doan, Hoa Huong Le
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: VJE 2025-03-01
Series:Vietnam Journal of Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://vje.vn/index.php/journal/article/view/563
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author Ha Thanh Le
Anh Tam Thi Doan
Hoa Huong Le
author_facet Ha Thanh Le
Anh Tam Thi Doan
Hoa Huong Le
author_sort Ha Thanh Le
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-cbace4267e91444eab1c547d64e824c62025-08-20T03:17:27ZengVJEVietnam Journal of Education2588-14772815-55722025-03-019110.52296/vje.2025.563Transforming TESOL Practices through Cognitive Psychology: A Collaborative Action Research Study on Working Memory and Growth MindsetHa Thanh Le0Anh Tam Thi Doan1Hoa Huong Le2Foreign Trade University, VietnamGia Quat Secondary School, Hanoi, VietnamPeople’s Police University, Vietnam 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. https://vje.vn/index.php/journal/article/view/563Working memory in language learningTESOL pedagogycognitive educational psychologyteaching strategies
spellingShingle Ha Thanh Le
Anh Tam Thi Doan
Hoa Huong Le
Transforming TESOL Practices through Cognitive Psychology: A Collaborative Action Research Study on Working Memory and Growth Mindset
Vietnam Journal of Education
Working memory in language learning
TESOL pedagogy
cognitive educational psychology
teaching strategies
title Transforming TESOL Practices through Cognitive Psychology: A Collaborative Action Research Study on Working Memory and Growth Mindset
title_full Transforming TESOL Practices through Cognitive Psychology: A Collaborative Action Research Study on Working Memory and Growth Mindset
title_fullStr Transforming TESOL Practices through Cognitive Psychology: A Collaborative Action Research Study on Working Memory and Growth Mindset
title_full_unstemmed Transforming TESOL Practices through Cognitive Psychology: A Collaborative Action Research Study on Working Memory and Growth Mindset
title_short Transforming TESOL Practices through Cognitive Psychology: A Collaborative Action Research Study on Working Memory and Growth Mindset
title_sort transforming tesol practices through cognitive psychology a collaborative action research study on working memory and growth mindset
topic Working memory in language learning
TESOL pedagogy
cognitive educational psychology
teaching strategies
url https://vje.vn/index.php/journal/article/view/563
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AT anhtamthidoan transformingtesolpracticesthroughcognitivepsychologyacollaborativeactionresearchstudyonworkingmemoryandgrowthmindset
AT hoahuongle transformingtesolpracticesthroughcognitivepsychologyacollaborativeactionresearchstudyonworkingmemoryandgrowthmindset