Constructive Alignment in IELTS Curriculum Design: Challenges and Remedies in the Vietnamese Higher Education Context

Abstract

In curriculum design, constructive alignment plays a crucial role in ensuring coherence and interconnectedness among learning outcomes, teaching methods, and assessment practices, leading to consistency across all elements of the curriculum. However, its application in Vietnam faces significant challenges, particularly in the design of IELTS preparation courses. This paper critically examines the educational context in Vietnam, discusses the theoretical challenges and practical applications of constructive alignment, and evaluates its effectiveness in IELTS curriculum design. Furthermore, it identifies opportunities to leverage constructive alignment to enhance professional development and improve the quality of academic structures.