INVESTIGATING HANOI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ELITECH STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF HOW WARM-UP ACTIVITIES MAY SUPPORT THE LEARNING OF ENGLISH SMALL TALKS

Abstract

This study investigates the role of warm-up activities in supporting the learning of English small talks among Elitech students at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. The problem addressed is the limited focus on communicative English skills in technical education, where students often lack opportunities to practice casual conversation in English. To explore how warm-up activities might enhance this aspect of language learning, the study employed a qualitative research design. Data were collected through focus group interviews with seven students and in-depth interviews with four participants enrolled in the IELTS Speaking 1 course. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns in students’ perceptions and experiences. The findings revealed that warm-up activities contributed to a low-stress, engaging, and socially supportive learning environment. Key features such as real-life relevance, peer interaction, and enjoyment were found to increase student confidence and participation. These results suggest that integrating warm-up activities into English instruction can significantly improve students’ small talk skills and overall communicative competence. The study offers pedagogical implications for enhancing language education in technical programs and calls for broader implementation of such practices.