Investigating the reasons for English language distance-learning learners’ dropout: A case study in Mekong Delta
Main Article Content
Abstract
From the perspective of the Vygotsky's Socio-cultural Theory, this qualitative study aims to explore the reasons behind the dropout rates among distance-learning students at a university in the Mekong Delta region, Vietnam. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with five former students from the English Language Bachelor’s Distance Education Program at the University. The collected data was then analyzed using thematic analysis based on the students' responses. The results reveal that dropout among distance-learning English language students is due to both internal factors within the learners (e.g., time constraints, lack of self-discipline, and perceived lack of progress) and external factors, including curriculum content, teaching methods, and technical issues. Based on these findings, the study also proposes the recommendations to address the issues preventing distance-learning students from completing the program.
Keywords
Distance-learning classes, learners’ dropout, the socio-cultural theory.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
References
Budiman, R. (2018). Factors related to students’ drop out of a distance language learning programme. VNU Journal of Education Research, 7(2), 12-19. doi:https://doi.org/10.5430/jct.v7n2p12.
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Dicicco-Bloom, B., & Crabtree, B. F. (2006). The qualitative research interview. Medical Education, 40(4), 314-321. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2929.2006.02418.x
Duff, P. A. (2012). Identity, agency and second language acquisition. In S. M. Gass & A. Mackey (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of second language acquisition (pp. 410-426). London: Routledge.
Evans, M., & Tragant, E. (2020). Demotivation and dropout in adult EFL learners. TESL-EJ, 23(4), 1-20. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1242642.
Friðriksdottir, K. (2021). The effect of tutor-specific and other motivational factors on student retention on Icelandic Online. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 34(6), 663-684. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2019.1633357.
Hardy, J. W. (2011). An activity theory interpretation of university ESL students' experiences of classroom group work. Unpublished doctoral thesis. The University of Texas.
Johnson, B., & Christensen, L. B. (2004). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Keith, R. (2003). Qualitative inquiry in TESOL. New York Palgrave Macmillan.
King, N., & Horrock, C. (2010). Interviews in qualitative research. Los Angeles: Sage.
Lantolf, J. P., & Thorne, S. L. (2006). Sociocultural theory and the genesis of second language development. Oxford: OUP.
Lê, T. T. T. (2014). Tại sao sinh viên từ xa Trường Đại học Mở Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh bỏ học? Tạp Chí Khoa học Trường Đại học Mở Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Số 9(1), 33-38.
Lee, Y., & Choi, J. (2011). A review of online course dropout research: Implications for practice and future research. Technology Research and Development, 59(5), 593-618. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-010-9177-y.
Lee, Y., Choi, J., & Kim, T. (2013). Discriminating factors between completers of and dropouts from online learning courses. British Journal of Educational Technology, 44(2), 328-337.
Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2006). Designing qualitative research (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks: SAGE.
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative evaluation and research methods: Integrating theory and practice (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, California SAGE.
Rahmani, A. M., Groot, W., & Rahmani, H. (2024). Dropout in online higher education: a systematic literature review. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 21(19), 1-24.
Roulston, K. (2010). Considering quality in qualitative interviewing. Qualitative Research, 10, 119-228. doi:10.1177/1468794109356739.
Stracke, E., Nguyen, G. H., & Nguyen, V. (2023). EFL learners dropping out of blended language learning classes: A replication of Stracke (2007). ReCALL, 35(2), 178-192. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/S0958344023000010
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in soceity: The development of higher psychologial process. Massachusetts: Harvard University press.
Yin, R. K. (2009). Case study research: Design and methods. California: Sage Publication Inc.