الهام ناجی میدانی

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing language education through personalized and interactive practice. However, its impact on language achievement and emotional aspects of learning is unclear. Therefore, this mixed-methods study investigated the effects of Chatbot-Assisted Language Learning (CHALL) on learners’ English language achievement and sense of metavolvement—the deepest level of metacognitive engagement. In phase 1, the Sense of Metavolvement Scale (SOMS) was developed and validated. In phase 2, following a quasi-experimental design, 44 intermediate Iranian EFL learners were divided into an experimental group (n=22, using the AI chatbot Pi) and a control group (n=22, receiving conventional classroom instruction). Both groups had pre- and post-tests for language achievement and metavolvement, and the experimental group sat for semi-structured interviews post-intervention. There were significant gains in the experimental group’s in-class metavolvement and language achievement. There were also significant differences between the two groups in post-test metavolvement, while there was no significant difference in their post-test language achievement. Furthermore, interview data illustrated CHALL as a low-anxiety practice context with cultural and pragmatic limitations. Therefore, CHALL can complement but not replace conventional instruction.

Emphasizing the significance of students' attitudes and emotions in the learning process, this study utilized Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to investigate the roles of sapio-emotionality, angloemotionality, and sensory motivation in learners' academic accomplishments. The key aim was to devise a scale for measuring students' anglo-emotionality (a blend of native speakers' characteristics and emotionality) using SEM, while also scrutinizing the relationships between sapio-emotionality (intelligence entwined with emotionality), angloemotionality, and sensory motivation. Data was collected from 292 EFL students (156 males and 136 females) across both social and non-social sciences fields who filled in three questionnaires, namely sapio-emotionality, anglo-emotionality, and sensory motivation scales. The SEM analysis indicated that the anglo-emotionality scale has robust psychometric properties. Furthermore, it facilitated the revelation that sapio-emotionality is positively correlated with sensory motivation. However, no significant statistical correlations were discerned between anglo-emotionality and sensory motivation via SEM. Intriguingly, when mediated by angloemotionality, SEM revealed that sapio-emotionality cannot predict sensory motivation and English Language Acquisition (ELA). Also, none of the dependent variables emerged as predictors of ELA. The study concludes with a discussion of the results and their implications for future research, underscoring the utility of SEM in elucidating these intricate relationships.

The current qualitative study examined the role of teacher concern in Iranian institute English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students’ motivation and anxiety. The study involved 24 participants who participated in a focus group interview to express their opinions on this topic. Thematic analysis was applied to derive seven themes for each role of teacher concern - facilitator or debilitator - based on the perceptions of the students. The findings revealed that teacher concern can have both positive and negative effects on students’ language learning process, depending on the circumstances. It can serve as a motivator, enhancing students’ motivation, or as a hindrance, demotivating them. Teacher concern is shown to be a highly sensitive criterion, and teachers must be mindful of their students' characteristics and the level of care they demonstrate. Teacher concern is likened to a double-edged sword, capable of both motivating and demotivating students. This study emphasized the importance of understanding the impact of teacher concern on students’ language learning and suggests that teachers should be cautious in their approach, taking into account individual student needs and providing appropriate levels of care and support.

This study sought to investigate the probable relationships among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers' active/passive motivation, their sense of efficacy, and burnout. To this end, the Active/Passive Motivation Scale (APMS), Teacher’s Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES), and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) were administered to 245 Iranian EFL teachers. Next, in order to substantiate the construct validity of the APMS, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted. Moreover, correlational analyses and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were employed to explore the relationships among the variables. The results indicated significant relationships between active/passive motivation and all subconstructs of TSES, between active motivation and all subconstructs of burnout, and between passive motivation and two burnout subscales, namely emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment. Additionally, while no significant relationship was found between age and the three constructs, the results demonstrated that teaching experience and teacher’s sense of efficacy were positively correlated. Female teachers were also found to be less likely to feel depersonalized. Moreover, mediated by active motivation, teacher efficacy was a significant negative predictor of teacher burnout. Finally, the implications of the study for administrators and teachers were discussed and suggestions were made for further research.

Emotion and cognition are both considered influential factors in language learning. In this study, the role of "emotioncy" (which is a combination of emotion and frequency) in the cognitive load and sentence comprehension of a group of language learners was examined. Emotioncy includes emotions that are evoked by the senses. To this aim, 200 English as a foreign language (EFL) learners were asked to fill out the NASA Task Load Test, a sentence comprehension test, and an emotioncy scale. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was run to measure the construct validity of the emotioncy scale. Subsequently, Pearson Product-Moment correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to analyze the data. The results showed that emotioncy has a significantly negative and positive relationship with cognitive load and sentence comprehension, respectively (p

The present study aimed to design and validate a “Critical Understanding of the Global Spread of English” Scale (CUGSES). To this end, a framework was designed based on the tenets of linguistic imperialism, English as an International Language (EIL), and globalization. The scale was then administered to a population of 425 participants, comprising English language teachers in language institutes, English language learners in language institutes, parents whose children attended English language institutes, university students majoring in English and English-major university professors. Rasch measurement was utilized to substantiate the construct validity of the instrument. The results of the Rasch analysis revealed that except for three items, the scale is unidimensional and meets the criteria to fit to the Rasch model. Next, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to extract the factors underlying the scale. Five components were extracted and labeled as: domination of English language and culture, preference for home culture and language, age and medium of instruction, native speakerism, and localization in ELT. Implications of the newly- designed scale in the Iranian EFL context were then provided.