conclusions and recommendations

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<b><small> INSTRUCTOR: LE QUANG DUNG, PH.D </small></b>

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<b> ABSTRACT</b>

The present study was conducted at a survey of using politeness in English communication in Vietnam, and in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of English Language Education. The study employed a mixed method research design to investigate the self-perceived levels of learners’ autonomy at the institution where the researcher works. The study also explores the teachers’ support in fostering students’ autonomy. In addition, the study attempts to determine the relationship between genders, learning styles and the learners’ levels of autonomy. The main findings reveal that the level of learners’ autonomy where the study was conducted was at medium level (M = 2.66 out of 5.0 scale). In terms of the students’ perception of their teachers’ roles in fostering students’ autonomy, the finding of the current study reveals that it was quite supportive (M = 3.29 out of 5.0 scale). The finding also indicated that the difference in level of autonomy is not significant between male and female students (M = 2.667 for male compared with M = 2.668 for female students). Finally, the result showed that there a statistically significant difference in the levels of autonomy between students with different learning styles. To be specifically, the students who prefer kinesthetic learning style possess the highest level of autonomy (M = 2.75) compared with M = 2.60 and 2.59 for visual and individual learning style students. M = 2.72; 269 and 2.62 are the level of autonomy for group, tactile and auditory students respectively.

<b>Key word : Understanding the reality of using politeness in intercultural</b>

communication among students in Vietnam, thereby suggesting effective communication measures in the current multicultural environment as well as in the world in general.

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<b>Table of content :</b>

<b>CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION </b>

1.2. Aims and objectives of the study 1.2.1 Common aims

1.2.2. Specific aims 1.2.3. Objectives: 1.3. Research questions 1.4. Scope of the study 1.5. Significance of the study

<b>CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 1. Review of previous studies at home/abroad </b>

1.1. Review of previous studies at home 1.2. Review of previous studies abroad 1.3. Reasons for choosing the topic 1.4. Topic goal

<b>2 Review of theoretical background </b>

2.2. Theoretical research methods 2.2 Practical research methods

2.3. Data analysis and processing methods

<b>CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH </b>

<b>CHAPTER 4 : FINDINGS ( Expected findings )CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION</b>

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<b>CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION </b>

Intercultural communication is the communication between cultures, between different cultural communities with different ways of life and worldview. Intercultural communication itself is not a new phenomenon, but has gone through thousands of years of history, associated with the fate of all people and communities in the world.

Up to now, when entering the 21st century, mankind has achieved great achievements in science and technology. Thanks to modern means of communication, thanks to the internet, mobile phones, television phones, thanks to countless international radio and television channels, thanks to the strong development of the domestic and international, especially the aviation industry, etc., opportunities to exchange, communicate, dialogue, learn from each other between cultures and cultural communities around the planet are increasing strongly.

In that context, globalization has become an inevitable historical trend, attracting all nations and cultures in the world. Therefore, intercultural communication has become an integral part of contemporary social life, becoming a field of interest to many scientific disciplines, such as anthropology, culture, history, sociology, psychology, etc., especially intercultural Philosophy. This article can be considered as an introductory, brief introduction to intercultural philosophy - a philosophical discipline that is still little researched in Vietnam. In the framework of this article, we only focus on elucidating some philosophical aspects of intercultural communication in the context of globalization on the basis of recognizing the contributions and limitations of L.Wittgenstein to the debut in society of intercultural philosophy.

Realizing the importance of this issue, I choose the topic " A survey of Vietnam National University of Agriculture students’ using politeness in communication" for research, hoping to help students have a comprehensive view, aware of the importance of the problem, creating a premise to promote effective communication between Vietnamese and foreign students.

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<b>1.2. Aims and objectives of the study1.2.1 Common aims</b>

Understanding the reality of using politeness in intercultural communication among students in Vietnam, thereby suggesting effective communication measures in the current multicultural environment in Vietnam as well as in the world in general.

<b>1.2.2 Specific aims</b>

- Learning the overview of intercultural communication, polite attitude in intercultural communication.

- Learning the theoretical basis (Research the general theoretical issues of communication, politeness in communication in general and politeness in intercultural communication and intercultural communication in particular). - Survey on limitations and barriers that students often encounter in intercultural communication;

- Analysis of survey results on politeness attitude in intercultural communication of students in Vietnam;

- Proposing and giving some suggestions on applying polite attitude in intercultural communication with overseas students.

<b>1.2.3 Objectives:</b>

The objectives of the research are:

communicate with foreign students politely and effectively in daily life as well as in the lecture hall.

<b>1.3 Research questions</b>

1. What are the facts of students using politeness in communication? 2. What suggestions should be made to improve politeness in communication?

<b>1.4. Scope of the study</b>

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In order to reflect the reality of students' ability to communicate and perceive about the need for politeness communication, I will conduct a survey of about 150 students at a random university .A with situations in the lecture hall, the dorm and on the bus..., in which: International students, Advanced students, English language students, Students of other major.

<b>1.5. Significance of the study</b>

Research on the use of politeness in intercultural communication of students to find solutions to help students communicate effectively in the current multicultural environment at university particular and in Vietnam as well as the world in general.

Scientific report on the status of using politeness in communication, what are the limitations and barriers that students often face in intercultural communication, proposing solutions for the application of politeness intercultural communication to avoid misunderstanding the meaning of expressions and bring maximum communication efficiency.

The results of the study contribute to improving the efficiency of communication of students with foreigners in general and foreign students studying at university in Vietnam. Specifically, this study helps students understand and get an overview of “Motto of politeness in communication”; know how to grasp and apply these mottos to different social situations to avoid misunderstanding the meaning of expressions and bring about maximum communication efficiency.

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<b>DESIGN OF THE STUDYPart 1: IntroductionPart 2: Development</b>

● Chapter 1: THEORETICAL BASIS ● Chapter 2: RESEARCH RESULTS

● Chapter 3: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

<b>Part 3: Conclusion</b>

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<b>LIST OF TABLES</b>

students, Advanced students, English-major students, Students of other majors

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<b>CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICALFRAMEWORK</b>

<b>1. </b>

<b> Review of previous studies at home/abroad 1.1. Review of previous studies at home</b>

In the 21st century, thanks to the great achievements of science and technology, the strong explosion of information technology and the great improvements in infrastructure and traffic, the need for exchange and communication. Learning between cultures has become an indispensable and inseparable trend in today's modern society. In order to communicate effectively and avoid unfortunate misunderstandings, "polite attitude in cultural communication of people" is considered to have a very important position and role. However, in Vietnam up to the present time, there are very few specific studies on politeness in intercultural communication, only referring to the concepts and general research categories of cultural communication, such as “Analysis of intercultural communication” (Nguyen Hoa, 2011 – University of Foreign Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi), or “Some issues of intercultural and intercultural communication” (Nguyen Quang, 2004 – University of Foreign Languages, Vietnam National University, Hanoi). In Vietnam, problems related to pragmatics have been interested by researchers since the 80s of the twentieth century, in university lectures, in linguistic research works. Vietnamese grammar and semantics such as: Linguistic logic of Hoang Phe, Vietnamese - preliminary functional grammar of Cao Xuan Hao, in theses and theses. In addition, in language journals, many research articles have been published by author Vu Thi Thanh Huong (1999) - "Indirect and polite in Vietnamese supplication", Nguyen Quang – “Positive politeness strategies in communication” (2 Volumes).

In the book Pragmatics – Volume 1 (Education Publishing House, 2000), Professor Nguyen Duc Dan also presented quite fully on the theory of Pragmatics. The book Vietnamese pragmatics (2009) by Professor Nguyen Thien Giap also introduces two views of two world famous pragmatics J. Austin and J. Searle. However, both of these authors just stopped at the level of general theory without going into any specific language behavior. Besides, the

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authors also introduce the principle of conversation and politeness, including the principle of cooperation and the principle of politeness.

In recent years, the trend of studying linguistic behavior in relation to communication rules and ethnic cultural characteristics has been noticed and developed by researchers. These include articles by the authors: Indirect greetings of Vietnamese with politeness - Nguyen Thi Luong (2006), Neutral strategy in inviting and declining invitations in American English and Vietnamese– Duong Bach Nhat (2008).

– Communication is a system of processes with a purpose and motive that ensures the interaction of one person with another in practical activities, the realization of social and personal relationships, psychological and social relationships. specific means, first of which is language (A.A.Leochiep). Communication is the interaction between two or more people to exchange information. (Soviet psychological dictionary).

– B.F. Lomov said: Communication is not a special form of activity, but it must be considered as a relatively independent category beside the category of activity in psychology. He defined it as follows: “Communication is the interaction of the people who participate in it as subjects”.

– Communication is an activity of establishing and operating human-to-human relations to realize human social relations with each other (Textbook of Psychology, Education Publishing House, 1998, Volume 1, p.44, 45).

With such an impact, the communication must be from at least 2 people, each of whom must be the subject. In other words, it means that there is a transformation between the subject and the object. This transformation takes place from the beginning, from the moment of contact, getting to know each other to perceive each other until the moment when the communication process ends.

In the process of communication, mutual awareness and mutual impact take place continuously, increasing in both subjects. The transformation between subject and object is faster and more frequent, as the awareness of each other becomes more and more clear.

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– In Vietnam, the issue of communication has also received the attention of many researchers. The authors have stated the concept of communication according to their specific research area.

Related to the topic, there are also research works by Professor Nguyen Thien Giap (2000) - Vietnamese language learning which introduced two perspectives of two world famous pragmatics J. Austin and J. Searle. However, both of these authors just stopped at the level of general theory without going into depth and any specific language behavior. Besides, the authors also introduce the principles of conversation and politeness including the principle of cooperation and the principle of politeness., Professor Do Huu Chau (1993) – Linguistics outline (volume 2), Vo Dai Quang (2004) – Politeness: personal communication strategies or social norms. However, there are not any author has systematically and specifically introduced politeness in intercultural communication among students of VNUA.

<b>1.2. Review of previous studies abroad</b>

Realizing the importance of politeness in intercultural communication and its great role in the art of communication, there are many studies abroad that have studied this issue deeply, of which the highlights are:

- Research topic "Polite language in intercultural communication in Japan" by lecturer Suraiya Mohd Ali (2017) - Faculty of Languages and Linguistics University of Malaya. In it, instructor Suraiya Mohd Ali analyzes how politeness is communicated through the use of polite language forms and strategies. The author has shown the use of positive politeness strategies that show solidarity and friendliness, cohesion and intimacy, and concern as aspects of politeness. That allows the participants in this study to be more skilled at communicating in work and daily life, avoiding unfortunate misunderstandings. - With the topic "Politeness in Intercultural Communication in East Asia" (University of Warwick, 2011), author Stefanie Stadler has researched and evaluated different polite expressions in business writing, management and education in East Asian countries.

- Ikiko Nakane is a linguistics lecturer at the University of Sydney who published the book "Silence and politeness in intercultural communication" (2006) which also shows the importance of polite attitude for success. of the communication process. In this study, he analyzed the silence of students from

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schools in Asia and compared them with students from countries such as the US, UK, and Australia. He also explains phenomena, using participant interviews, classroom observations, and detailed discourse analysis of classroom interactions.

In the 60s of the twentieth century, Western readers all began to become familiar with pragmatics through the research works of famous philosophers and logicians such as J. Austin, J. Searle. Pragmatics is receiving more and more attention, the research of linguists and the 70s - 80s of the twentieth century is considered as the "throne" period of Pragmatics by authors such as R. Lakoff (1975), G. Leech (2003), S. Levison (1954), G. Yule (1996),... have contributed to perfecting theoretical system as the theoretical foundation for pragmatics. The articles as well as the research works contribute a lot to the thesis for this issue. We have inherited the research theories of conversation, and principles courtesy of the above authors on this subject.

<b>1.3. Reasons for choosing the topic</b>

Politeness in intercultural communication plays an important role in effective communication between Vietnamese and foreign students. It not only reflects the speaker's educational level and family, but also the way they perceive and evaluate the community and country in which they live. At the VNUA, which welcomes a lot of international students from Laos, Cambodia, Mozambique, Mongolia, China... to study and live every year, is a multicultural, multilingual environment, is an ideal place for Vietnamese students to have the opportunity to study, interact with foreign friends, and access new things such as the languages and culture of your country.

However, a large part of students still has many limitations in communicating with foreign students who come from different cultures, leading to unfortunate misunderstandings such as: the message you want to convey in communication, misinterpreting the attitude of communication as feeling that the speaker is impolite, irritable, unhappy, or unenthusiastic.

Stemming from the above reasons, the author conducted a research on the topic: A survey of students’ using politeness in communication.

<b>1.4. Topic goal</b>

1.4.1 Common goals

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Understanding the current situation of using politeness in intercultural communication among students, thereby proposing effective communication measures in the current multicultural environment in particular in Vietnam as well as in the world in general.

1.4.2 Specific goals

- Learning the overview of intercultural communication, polite attitude in intercultural communication;

- Learning the theoretical basis (Research the general theoretical issues of communication, politeness in communication in general and politeness in intercultural communication and intercultural communication in particular); - Survey on limitations and barriers that students often encounter in intercultural communication;

- Analysis of survey results on politeness attitude in intercultural communication of students;

- Proposing and giving some suggestions in applying a polite attitude in intercultural communication of Vietnamese students with overseas.

<b>2.2 Theoretical research methods</b>

Analyze, synthesize, compare and generalize the results of theoretical and practical research of researchers on politeness maxims in communication, applicability and violations of politeness maxims in communication. Intercultural communication aims to draw out instrumental concepts and theoretical frameworks for the research topic "A survey of students’ using politeness in communication in Vietnam.".

<b>2.2 Practical research methodsInvestigative method: </b>

In order to reflect the reality of students’ ability to communicate and perceive about the need for politeness intercultural communication, I will conduct a survey of about 150 students at a random universuty, in which:

- 50 Advanced students. - 50 English major students

- 50 International students from different majors.

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Design the questionnaire with a semi-structured personal questionnaire and distribute it to students. The survey focused on understanding the application of politeness maxims; preferences and the difficulties and benefits that students encounter when performing in the communication process.

Question 1: During an exam time, you suddenly realized that you forgot to bring your pen. Without a pen, you cannot accomplish your test. What would you do in that situation?

Question 2: You are on the street, suddenly your motorbike is broken. Motorbike repair-shop is very far from you, about 10km away. In that situation, would you keep quiet, walk with your motorbike yourself to the repair-shop or would you ask for help from someone around you?

has just broken.

Question 3: When your class is over, you see one of your classmate (a normal friend you don’t usually talk to) left her litters (including empty bottle water, milk box, plastic wrappers, etc.) in her desk even the trash can is near the doorway. In that case what would you say to her?

- Take your litters and put them in the trash can.

which is next to the door?

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Question 4: Your friend has borrowed a sum of money from you and promised you that she/he would give it back soon. However, it's been 3 months and now you really need money to buy something. What would you do in that situation?

you borrowed from me. Could you please give it back?

Question 5: Dorm: You live in a dorm room, there are many people living with you. Tonight you need a quiet space to review your lessons because you will have a test tomorrow. But the surrounding people are very noisy, they are singing karaoke, organizing birthday parties, etc. In that case, what would you do?

- Excuse me, can you turn the volume down? I'm preparing for the test tomorrow. Thank you!

Question 6: You're reading a book in a library, suddenly there are a couple of people playing and talking too loudly. That makes you and other people around you annoying and distracted. In that situation, what would you do?

too. You guys are talking too loudly so we cannot concentrate on our things. Could you please be quiet?

Question 7: You are standing on a bus. You see an elderly person just got into the bus and finding a seat. Some young people are sitting and don’t want to give up their seats to that elderly person. That elderly person doesn’t ask for the seat and the driver assistant is busy to sell bus tickets. What will you say in that situation?

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- Can you stand up and give your seat to him/her?

elderly person who is standing over there?

Question 8: Interaction with teachers and students in your class: You have a difficult question/ or you don’t understand the lesson the teacher taught you. What would you do in that situation?

in detail for me please?

<b>2.3. Data analysis and processing methods</b>

Process the survey results by qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate different aspects of the research content. Using Excel software to analyze quantitative data according to descriptive statistics.

<b> </b>

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<b>CHAPTER 3 :RESEARCH 1. THEORETICAL BASIS1. Context</b>

When we communicate that we act, we are carrying out a series of activities and especially through the medium of language. Conversational communication is a fundamental activity of language, language is the most important means of human communication. Language action is inextricably linked to its situational contexts and the interaction between the speaker and the listener. Therefore, pragmatic issues such as context, polite concept theory, politeness strategy will be the rationale for the implementation of this topic. To accurately and thoroughly understand a language, it is impossible to rely on linguistic factors but to put that statement in the context of that conversation. Who says? Tell whom? Say when? Where to talk and what to talk about? All of these factors have a significant impact and influence on the interpretation of the meaning of speech. Contextual factors play a huge role in creating and understanding statements in conversation.

There are many different views about context. In the textbook Linguistics outline (volume 2), Do Huu Chau (1993) considers context as factors present in communication but outside of discourse. In the Vietnamese lexicology, Nguyen Thien Giap (2009) distinguishes between the context and the situation of speaking. Context is the word that surrounds, or accompanies, some words that give it a definite sense of meaning. Speaking circumstances are situations, nonverbal contexts in which words appear: Who speaks? Tell whom? Say when? Where to say? Why say? The context includes the following components:

1.1 Communication character

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As participants in a verbal communication, using language to create verbal communication, discourses through which to influence each other.

Between the characters there are interpersonal and interpersonal relationships. In a communication, there is usually a communication role: the role that emits discourse, the role that speaks and the role that receives discourse, the role that hears.

Interpersonal relations are comparative relations in terms of social, understanding, and emotional relationships between characters who communicate with each other.

1.2 Reality beyond discourse

With the exception of the communicative character, all material, social, cultural and emotional elements and corresponding spiritual contents are not addressed in the discourse of a communication called reality beyond discourse.

<b>2. The concept of politeness</b>

Politeness can be seen as practical applications of manners and etiquette. This is a cultural phenomenon because the conception of politeness in one country or language may be the same or completely different from another country or language. Politeness doesn't just take place inside the communicator's own thoughts. To be polite, one must also use verbal or nonverbal means of communication.

" Politeness " is an extremely important category in the study of communication and pragmatics. The concept of "politeness" has been mentioned, discussed and analyzed since time immemorial, in various angles and in different terms.

Politeness is one of the most concerned categories in the study of intercultural and intercultural communication. Its importance cannot be denied. Gumperz (quoted from Brown and Levinson, 1987: XIII), asserted:

“Politeness is a fundamental issue in creating social order and a prerequisite for human cooperation so that any theory, once it has given an understanding of this phenomenon also has access to the background of human social life.”

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So what exactly is politeness? The Green (1989:142), politeness is: “… a system of interpersonal relationships designed to facilitate communication by minimizing the potential for conflict and confrontation inherent in all human relationships.”

More specifically, Blum-Kulka (1987:131) argues that politeness is "... reaching an interactive balance between two needs: the need for pragmatic clarity and the need to avoid coercion." This definition, in essence, is a combination of the "be clear" rule in Grice's set of principles and the "don't impose" rule in Lakoff's code. fundamental in the creation of social order and a prerequisite of human cooperation so that any theory, once given an understanding of this phenomenon, is at the same time accessible to the backdrops of human social life."

Yule was aware of the difficulty of coming up with an inclusive definition of politeness, so he tied the concept of "politeness" to the concept of face: "Politeness in communication, can [...] defined as the means used to show that one is mindful of the face of others. In this sense, politeness can be practiced in socially distanced or close situations. It's like I'm mindful of other people's faces."

According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang in the book Some issues of intercultural communication and intercultural communication: "Politeness is any type of behavior (both verbal and non-verbal) that is used intentionally and fit to make others feel better or less bad” (Excerpt from the book “Some Intercultural and Intercultural Communication Issues”).

Social distance between communication partners also makes a difference in how communication strategies and tricks are used. Typically, the smaller the social distance, the less polite strategies are used, and the more often direct speech is resorted to. Conversely, when social distancing is large, people often include in their statements 'compensatory factors' to minimize the threat of speech. Given the pressures of social distancing, one can also resort to various forms of indirect expression with the same goal of minimizing physical intimidation.

The concept of 'degree of imposition' is closely related to the concept of 'face-threatening action' of speech and the concept of 'benefit' of the communicative subject or communicative object. If it is an offer but the

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"benefit" belongs to the communicative object, then the communicative object can speak frankly and resort to or without resorting to the compensatory factor or compensatory-verbal signs and vice versa when the "benefit" belongs to the communicating subject.

Each person should both save face for themselves, while also saving face for others who are communicating with them. From here, the concept of "politeness" in everyday communication is an application of pragmatics to life.

<b>3. Level of politeness:</b>

According to Professor George Yule's Pragmatics, there are two types of politeness: 'keep silent' (say nothing) and 'say something' (say something). Where 'say something' includes on record and off record.

3.1. Self or other: Keep silent (Self or other: Say nothing)

One way to see the connection between the concepts of politeness and the use of language is to use a single speech event and map out different interpretations regarding the different possible expressions used in that event.

For example, when you attend an important lecture, you take out your notebook to take notes but you realize that there is no pen to write. You think the person sitting next to you will have a solution to this problem. In this case you will be the "communicator" and the person next to you will be the "communicative object". Your first choice is whether to say something or not. Ofcourse you can rummage through your pockets and utter no words with the vague intention that your problem will be realized. This approach may or may not work, but if it happens it's because someone else suggested it, not your own request.

You: (looks inside the bag)

Person sitting next to: (gives pen) Here, you can use this.

Many people seem to enjoy having their needs recognized without needing to be expressed in words. When those needs were realized, more was clearly communicated than said.

3.2. Say something: on record and off record

When you decide to say something, you don't really need to ask. Maybe you just need to come up with a saying after looking for a pen in your pocket.

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