A systematic review of potential opportunities and challenges to the use of portfolios in Vietnam as an assessment tool

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to elaborate on the opportunities and challenges to the application of portfolios as an assessment tool in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms at different educational levels in Vietnam, as explicitly and implicitly reported in the literature. Design: This study is a combination of a narrative review, synthesising educational documents during 2014–2021, and a systematic review, resulting in 26 empirical studies during 1999–2021 to be included. The adopted approach to data analysis was inductive, deductive and thematic. Data extracting and coding were conducted manually with the aid of Microsoft Word tools. Findings: The results indicate that enabling factors for the use of assessment portfolios included governmental documents; teachers’ and/or students’ awareness, attitudes and beliefs; available application of assessment portfolios and their benefits. However, practicality, reliability, validity and accuracy might pose certain challenges to this use. Value: This study adds further insights into our current understandings of the opportunities and challenges to the use of assessment portfolios in international EFL contexts.