Along with other languages, English is a powerful tool for communication as well as for the linguistic integration and growth of people. English is considered the universal language everywhere in the world. It is widely used around the world; it might be considered a foreign language of major global significance. On the other side, previous academics stated that factors affect students' decision to learn English at foreign language centers such as study program, tuition fee, location, promotion, social factors, psychological factors, etc. However, these studies just only choose a single model among alternative feasible models. This study utilizes the Bayesian model averaging approach to determine the optimal models for determinants influencing students' decision to study English at foreign language centers. The findings through the Bayesian model averaging algorithm revealed the best two models for determinants impacting students' decisions to learn English at foreign language centers.
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Nowadays, English has generally been acknowledged as the primary means people employ to convey globally. Through English, the world is becoming smaller because of various technological developments, and individuals across nations can communicate much more effectively in all aspects of their lives. Besides, English is the door to all sources of knowledge and information, it has become exceedingly important for everyone. The rise of the Internet, for instance, demonstrates how important English is to the world’s communities (Phanichthaworn, 2011). Besides, the language of English makes possible the ability to transmit ideas, feelings, emotions, and information between speaker and listener (Alam et al., 2022). The most widely spoken language on the earth, English is spoken by 400 million people as their first language and an additional 2 billion as a second or, in some cases, a foreign language. By the year 2040, this number is assessed to expand to 3 billion people using English, or around 40% of the world’s extended population (Graddol, 2006). English is significant because it is the language that is used the most over the globe. Students’ ability to speak a second language directly affects both their ability to study abroad and find work after graduation (Wang, 2018). Moreover, English language courses are designed to assist students with studying and doing research, often in colleges or other post-secondary contexts. Such courses can set up students to examine through exams like TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, etc. Studying English courses can set up students to solve the demands of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in courses, and may likewise deal with English study skills (Benhima et al., 2021).
In Vietnam, the demand for learners to study English has become increasingly, especially to study certificates of TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, etc., which have become basic and necessary conditions for considering entrance to university, considering graduation, studying abroad, and getting a job. Similarly, learners study English also to improve English skills (such as skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing), writing scientific papers, etc. According to the DOET of HCM City (Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City) (DOET of HCM City, 2022) provided that up to now, has 1086 foreign languages and informatics centers with 1792 addresses in Ho Chi Minh City (as of August 7, 2022). For example, some of the English centers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam as Vietnam USA Society English Centres (VUS), Apollo Education and Training, Wall Street English (WSE), British Council, ACET Vietnam, The American Academy of Vietnam (AMA), ILA English Centre, etc. Because there are many English centers, leading to the competition between English centers to attract learners is becoming more and more fierce. Thus, managers of foreign language centers (FLCs) should recognize the determinant affecting students’ decision to learn English to have suitable policies to pull students to their FLCs.