A shift in testing format leading to a change in teaching approach in EFL classes - a critical view from a conversation analysis approach

This paper analyzes how the recent changes in the English language examinations at high schools level in Vietnam are impacting teaching practices in EFL classrooms. The new test format focuses more on context-based and conversational tasks rather than isolated grammar or vocabulary questions. Based on the principles of Conversation Analysis, the study explains why today’s students need to grasp mechanisms such as turn-taking, adjacency pairs, and sequential organization. This change contributes to promoting communication skills rather than focusing solely on mechanical memorization. The article also discusses the challenges teachers face, including limited training in conversation-based teaching and a lack of digital resources in many schools in rural areas. While the new test format is a positive step for- ward, more support is needed so that the teachers and students can make effective use of these changes.