The Burden of Being Everything: Metaphorical Identities of Vietnamese EFL Teachers Of Ethnic Minorities

Ngoc-Tung Vu; Huu Thanh Minh Nguyen; Hang Le Thanh Nguyen; Thi Thuy Nhung Le

doi:10.66815/ejecs/2774

Authors

Ngoc-Tung Vu VNU University of Languages and International Studies https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7661-2885
Huu Thanh Minh Nguyen The University of Melbourne https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9494-9641
Hang Le Thanh Nguyen University of the West of England https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8759-5407
Thi Thuy Nhung Le Faculty of Foreign Languages, Ho Chi Minh University of Banking https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2492-7658

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66815/ejecs/2774

Keywords:

teacher identiy, metaphor, teachers of minority, English language education, K-12 education, Vietnamese education

Abstract

Drawing on Yuan et al.’s (2020) framework on teachers’ identity, this qualitative study examined the identities of seven Vietnamese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) minority high school teachers, focusing on their construction and teaching practices through metaphorical discourses. Through the teachers’ reflections on their Vietnamese minority students in disadvantaged locations, they chose to (i) innovatively adopt their ways of teaching, (ii) openly promote their identification and recognition of cultural differences, (iii) responsibly guide their students to become effective and employable future workers, (iv) passionately connect many relevant people to promote a learning culture and fund knowledge for their students, and (v) conduct their own research to seek educational solutions. The findings contribute to expanding the understanding of teacher identity within EFL education.

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Author Biographies

Ngoc-Tung Vu, VNU University of Languages and International Studies

is a lecturer at the University of Languages and International Studies (ULIS), Vietnam National University (VNU), Hanoi. He earned his PhD from the University at Albany, State University of New York (2025), and his Master’s degree in TESOL from Concordia University Chicago (2017). Over the past decade, he has built a strong record across research, teaching, and academic service in diverse higher education contexts, including Vietnam, the UK, the USA, and Australia. In teaching, he has delivered English-language and teacher-education programs, supervised undergraduate theses, and served on thesis-defense committees. His research portfolio includes over 35 publications across journal articles, book chapters, academic newsletters, and professional outlets. He is also the author of three books that reflect his sustained interests in intercultural communication, communities of practice, and, more recently, information and communication technologies (ICT) in higher education. From 2019 to 2025, he received multiple awards recognizing his contributions to teaching and research, including awards from the University at Albany, ULIS, and VNU for research excellence, innovation, and outstanding performance. Looking ahead, he aims to further develop his work in intercultural communication while expanding into graduate employability, teacher education, and artificial intelligence in higher education. He welcomes collaboration on research projects that advance the learning experiences and outcomes of university students.

Huu Thanh Minh Nguyen, The University of Melbourne

is a lecturer of English at the Faculty of English, University of Foreign Language Studies, The University of Danang. He is currently a PhD candidate in Applied Linguistics at the School of Languages and Linguistics, Faculty of Arts, The University of Melbourne. He earned his Master's degree in TESOL Studies at the School of Education, The University of Leeds. He co-edited the book “Intercultural Competence in Higher Education English Language Instruction”. He has published widely in various journals: International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching, Journal of Language, Identity & Education, and Teaching English as a Second Language Electronic Journal (TESL-EJ). His research interests include Language Testing and Assessment, Language Teaching and Learning, and Technology-enhanced Language Teaching and Learning.

Hang Le Thanh Nguyen, University of the West of England

is a Vietnamese English language practitioner working at UWE International College, Bristol. She holds a BA in TEFL with Distinction from the University of Danang, Viet Nam, and an MSc in TESOL with Distinction from the University of Bristol. Her research sits at the intersection of critical applied linguistics, English language teacher identity, and the politics of English, with work published in Q1 journals.

Thi Thuy Nhung Le, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Ho Chi Minh University of Banking

earned her Master’s degree in TESOL Studies from the University of Queensland and completed her Ph.D. in Education at the University of Newcastle, Australia. She is currently serving as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages at Ho Chi Minh University of Banking, Vietnam. With over 20 years of experience in English language education, Dr. Nhung has participated in a wide range of academic activities, including teaching, conducting research, and supervising both undergraduate and postgraduate students in TESOL-related programs. Her research interests include TESOL, teacher professional development, intercultural communication, and English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI). In addition to her academic duties, she has contributed to the broader scholarly community as a reviewer for academic conferences and journals in language education and applied linguistics. She has also presented her research at several national and international conferences.

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