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Motivational intensity and enjoyment are considered two incentives that boost Willingness To Communicate (WTC), while boredom diminishes it. However, going through the existing literature, almost no studies have ever explored these interrelationships among the four variables -Boredom, WTC, Enjoyment, and Motivational Intensity- in the Iranian setting. To address this gap, 300 high schoolers between the ages of 11 and 19 took part in the study. Of those, 83 were beginners, 107 were intermediates, and 110 were advanced learners based on the results obtained from OPT (Oxford Placement Test). All the participants were surveyed using questionnaires administered via Google Docs. The study used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to interpret these statistics, revealing mediation effects and showing direct and total effects between motivational intensity, enjoyment, boredom, and WTC. Statistics confirmed that boredom had a notable direct impact on WTC, though its indirect effect through enjoyment was insignificant. In contrast, motivational intensity positively influenced the WTC through both direct and indirect pathways. The study suggests boosting motivation and enjoyment in second-language classrooms would dramatically enhance the learners' WTC in formal and informal settings. Teachers should be initiative and creative in designing fascinating and new classroom tasks, transform the class into a lively environment in which all students are actively involved in the interesting classroom activities in a relaxed manner, and promote a friendly and humorous group-work atmosphere so that classroom becomes a welcoming space where students learn without boredom or anxiety.

This study investigates the effects of summative, formative, and combined assessments on the development of listening and reading comprehension skills on advanced Iranian EFL learners. Data were collected from 40 advanced EFL learners, aged 19 to 35, from intact classes at a higher education institute, divided into three experimental groups, each receiving one of the assessment types (summative, formative, or a combination of both), along with a control group. Learners’ progress in listening and reading comprehension was measured over a four-month period using pre- and post-tests administered at the end of the term. Data analysis involved ANOVA, ANCOVA, and post hoc LSD tests. The findings of this longitudinal study revealed that while the combined application of formative and summative assessments had a significant positive impact on listening comprehension, neither assessment type alone contributed to improvement in this area. In contrast, the results showed that all forms of assessment—whether summative, formative, or combined—led to notable improvements in reading comprehension. These results highlight the differential effects of assessment types on listening and reading skills, suggesting implications for assessment practices in EFL contexts.

This study examines the influence of output-based podcasts (OBPs), the mediating effect of funds of identity (FoI), and teacher corrective feedback (CF) on L2 speaking of Iranian pre-intermediate learners and their willingness to communicate (WTC). The study also surveys the attitudes of the experimental groups toward OBPs and CF, as well as their probable attitude and WTC changes over time. To these ends, 60 participants were randomly divided into two experimental groups (the OBPs + CF and theOBPs – CF group) and a control group. Podcasts were created based on themes congruent and incongruent with students' FoI. The data was collected through pretest, immediate and delayed posttests, (attitude, WTC, and FoI) questionnaires, reflective journals, as well as an interview. Results demonstrated that OBPs improved the experimental groups’ speaking ability. Moreover, CF pushed learners to perform better. FoI also proved to be pivotal in triggering learners’ WTC. Learners had positive attitudes toward OBPs and FoI in improving their speaking skill. Furthermore, learners’ WTC changed positively over time as a result of creating podcasts. Integrating FoI into creating podcasts improved learners' performance, increased their WTC, and brought them more satisfaction. As such, OBPs based on students' FoI are suggested to serve as an alternative teaching method to traditional lecturing.  

AI in Language Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (2024), edited by Fang Pan, offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping language education. The book is thoughtfully divided into three well-structured sections Preview, Perspectives, and Practice, each addressing essential dimensions of AI integration. In the Preview section, Pan examines AI's transformative role in enhancing educational delivery and personalizing learning experiences, paving the way for greater efficiency and accessibility. Subsequently, the Perspectives section collates diverse global viewpoints that critically address challenges such as algorithmic bias, data privacy, and equity concerns. Finally, the Practice section offers evidence-based case studies, showcasing tangible innovations such as adaptive tutoring systems and AI-powered assessment tools, which have demonstrated real-world impact. More importantly, Pan strikes an impressive balance between highlighting AI's vast potential and scrutinizing its ethical and practical complexities. By combining theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and practical applications, this book stands as an essential resource for educators, researchers, and policymakers, aiming to navigate AI-driven developments in language education with both responsibility and clarity.

The integration of generative AI like ChatGPT into EFL pedagogy presents both opportunities for fostering higher-order thinking skills and risks to academic integrity. A research gap exists regarding the simultaneous impact of ChatGPT on the crucial triad of critical thinking, creativity, and self-reflection within the Indonesian EFL context. This study aimed to fill this gap by quantitatively measuring the effect of ChatGPT on these skills and qualitatively exploring students' perceptions of the learning process. The study used a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design. Participants were 100 undergraduate students, randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=50) or a control group (n=50). Data were collected using three validated instruments: the Critical Thinking Scale, the Creative Thinking Scale, and the Reflective Thinking Scale. In addition, a semi-structured interview guide was used to obtain qualitative data. Quantitative data were analyzed using ANCOVA, and qualitative data using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the ChatGPT group achieved statistically significant gains in critical, creative, and reflective thinking scores compared to the control group. Qualitative results revealed a duality in student perceptions; they valued the AI for fostering skills through idea generation and safe practice, but expressed concerns about risks such as cognitive offloading and skill atrophy.

While gamification has been extensively examined as an innovative teaching strategy, its potential to strengthen reading comprehension, critical thinking, and self-directed learning (SDL) in Islamic higher education has not been fully explored. Much of the existing research focuses primarily on its motivational impact, with less attention given to how gamified learning management system (LMS) environments can simultaneously support cognitive and metacognitive development. To address this gap, the present study evaluated the effectiveness of an LMS-based gamified reading comprehension course on undergraduate students’ learning outcomes at STAI Diponegoro Tulungagung, Indonesia. A quasi-experimental design was applied, involving 70 students who were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 35) and a control group (n = 35). Data were collected through pretest and posttest on reading comprehension and critical thinking, a structured SDL questionnaire based on Garrison’s (1997) framework (self-management, self-motivation, and self-monitoring), and follow-up interviews with six purposively selected students from the experimental group. Results indicated that students exposed to the gamified LMS course showed significantly higher gains in comprehension, critical thinking, and SDL than those in the control group. Qualitative findings further suggested that gamification fostered continuous engagement and sustained motivation, though certain challenges, including technological constraints and external distractions. Overall, the study underscores the promise of integrating gamification into LMS-based reading courses to support cognitive, affective, and metacognitive advancement in Islamic higher education.

This study employs a descriptive framework to explore the evolution of several suffixes in contemporary Persian. The primary focus is to determine whether these suffixes were recognized as such in ancient Iranian languages or if they functioned as independent morphemes that gradually evolved into grammatical elements. Grammaticalization is examined as the process through which lexical components acquire grammatical roles, or how elements with existing grammatical features become increasingly grammaticalized. A critical question arises regarding independent morphemes that have transitioned into suffixes: Have they entirely lost their original meanings and become purely grammatical tools for word formation, or do they retain independent functions in certain contexts? An analysis of the suffixes -(e)stān , -bār , -bān , -dān , -pād , -zār , -gār/-ger , -kade , and -gāh , along with their meanings and usages in contemporary Persian, indicates that these suffixes were once free morphemes in the ancient Iranian period. Over time, due to linguistic changes, they have diminished in lexical independence and are now primarily used as adjectival or locative suffixes in modern Persian. The necessity to generate new vocabulary for various phenomena has significantly influenced the grammaticalization of many independent morphemes.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming the landscape of education, particularly within the domain of language learning, as evidenced by a growing body of research published in computer-assisted language learning (CALL) journals. These studies have examined the application of various AI technologies, including natural language processing (NLP), AI-driven educational platforms, automatic speech recognition, and chatbots, in facilitating language acquisition. The present study investigated the perceptions of 386 Iranian high school EFL students, utilizing the Students’ Perceived EFL Teacher Support Scale to evaluate the impact of AI-powered speaking assistance technologies, educational level, and learning setting on perceived teacher support. The findings revealed a tri-factorial structure underlying EFL teacher support, highlighting the compatibility of AI technologies with traditional pedagogical methods. This suggests that the integration of AI-powered tools into classroom instruction can enhance the overall effectiveness of language teaching and learning. To ensure optimal outcomes, educators are encouraged to strategically incorporate AI within pedagogically sound frameworks that maintain human-centered support. The study offers important implications for sustaining and enhancing teacher support in technology-enriched learning environments and underscores the need for further empirical research in this evolving area of applied linguistics and educational technology.

Despite communication challenges, research suggests that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can benefit from foreign language education. This aligns with their strengths in visual learning and the documented effect of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in teaching language to children with ASD. Building on these strengths, this qualitative case study investigated the effectiveness of combining Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) strategies for teaching English language skills to an 8-year-old boy with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at Sara Autism Center. The study employed detailed observations to explore the participant's experience learning English as a foreign language. The findings revealed a significant increase in vocabulary (30 words within three months) and highlighted the effect of ABA and PECS in facilitating language acquisition and generalization. The use of the Let Me Talk app on an iPad to support communication and parental involvement were identified as crucial factors for success. This case study emphasizes the importance of multimodal learning approaches. It also highlights the need to tailor interventions to individual needs for effective language development in autistic children. The findings offer valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and parents invested in improving educational outcomes for children with ASD.

Although there has been ample research on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ formative assessment practice (FAP) and their agency separately, scant attention has been paid to the possible influence of teachers’ level of agency on their FAP. Accordingly, this study investigated EFL teachers’ FAP in the light of teachers’ agency. The initial participants, selected based on convenience sampling, comprised 180 male and female Iranian EFL teachers within the age range of 22 to 45. Their teaching experience fell between a few months to 21 years. The initial 180 teachers were given a Teacher Agency Questionnaire (TAQ) to determine teachers with high and low levels of agency. To this aim, 30 teachers who scored the highest and 30 who scored the lowest on the TAQ were selected. The 60 teachers were asked to fill out the Teacher Formative Assessment Practice Scale (TFAPS). Moreover, 15 teachers from each group were asked to take part in semi-structured interviews to explore their perceptions regarding their FAP. The results of parametric independent samples t-test revealed that teachers in the high-agency group scored significantly higher than their counterparts in the low-agency group in terms of both teacher-directed (p = .00<.001, effect size = 3.32) and student-directed FAP (p = .00<.001, effect size = 3.44). The descriptive and qualitative comparison of the thematic analysis between teachers in the high agency and low agency groups demonstrated marked differences both in the total number of themes and theme mentions as well as the theme contents between the two groups. Based on the findings, teacher educators are encouraged to enhance EFL teachers’ level of agency to improve their FAP.

This study investigates the effects of task complexity and task repetition on the reading comprehension of Iranian EFL learners. The primary aim was to determine whether varying levels of task complexity and the repetition of these tasks could lead to significant enhancements in learners' reading comprehension abilities. A pretest-posttest design was utilized to assess the participants' performance before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses, including the One-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test and paired samples t-tests, were conducted to assess data normality and evaluate the significance of observed differences. The findings indicated that both task complexity and task repetition had a substantial positive impact on the reading comprehension scores of Iranian EFL learners. Task complexity promoted deeper cognitive engagement, while task repetition facilitated retention and mastery of reading skills. These results suggest that incorporating strategically designed complex tasks and repeating them can enhance reading comprehension in EFL contexts. The study concludes that task complexity and repetition are effective strategies for improving reading comprehension among Iranian EFL learners. The enhancement in comprehension can be attributed to the cognitive challenges posed by complex tasks and the reinforcement provided through task repetition. Educators are encouraged to integrate tasks with varying levels of complexity and to implement repetitive practice within their instructional strategies. This approach not only aids in comprehension but also fosters a more engaging learning environment. Future research should explore the optimal levels of task complexity and repetition to maximize learning outcomes and examine their applicability in diverse educational contexts.

This study aimed to unravel the EFL students’ technology acceptance toward the implementation of Technology-Mediated Syntax Learning (TMSL) and unveil its impact on EFL students' learning autonomy and English Syntax (ES) learning achievement. Therefore, the quantitative study was operated through descriptive analysis and pre-experimental design. The descriptive analysis was done to scrutinize the EFL students' technology acceptance and learning autonomy toward implementing TMSL. The pre-experimental study was conducted to know the effect of TMSL implementation on ES learning achievement. The participants of this study were 121 students who joined the English Syntax course in the English Education Department, Faculty of Education and Teachers Training at a public university in West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The results showed that the participants highly accepted TMSL and depicted high learning autonomy scores. The statistical calculation proved significant differences between participants' ES Pre-test and Post-test scores, meaning that TMSL implementation significantly affected ES learning achievement. However, the distinct results of technology acceptance and autonomy analysis from previous studies suggest further investigation, including applying different research approaches. Hence, this study suggests that a technology integration model gains positive output and outcome for the EFL learning context.

This research discusses the pedagogical relevance of German idioms and Persian proverbs in language acquisition and intercultural communication. Idioms and proverbs are extremely useful in language competence and culture awareness development, but they are also very challenging for learners due to their non-literal nature and cultural boundness. This study uses a qualitative design to investigate how the use of idiomatic language in real communicative contexts improves comprehension, memorability, and intercultural competence in German language learners. Data were gathered based on semi-structured interviews with experienced teachers and advanced learners, and content analysis of idiomatic language selected from German and Persian texts. The findings show that the integration of cognitive and sociolinguistic approaches optimizes learners' ability to interpret idiomatic meaning and use them appropriately. Besides, computer-mediated resources and multimedia technology support memorization of idioms and their application in context. The instructional model in the research, by incorporating metaphorical comprehension with cultural contextualization, addresses knowledge gaps in traditional idiom instruction and emphasizes the necessity for contextualized learning environments. By enhancing both cultural sensitivity and language proficiency, this research has valuable pedagogical implications for language teachers and curriculum planners. Follow-up research should investigate the application of technology-assisted idiom learning in various linguistic and cultural contexts to validate the usefulness of the model suggested.

Many researchers have explored the speech act of refusals across various genres, languages, and contexts. However, little is known about how refusals are conveyed in academic job applications by Asia-Pacific and European institutions. To address this gap, the current cross-cultural study analyzed a corpus of naturally occurring academic job rejection emails from different universities. Using Beebe et al.’s (1990) taxonomy of refusals, a total of 85 rejection letters was collected and examined. The results revealed that while both Asia-Pacific and European universities employed similar refusal strategies, the frequency differed significantly: European universities used 219 refusal strategies, compared to only 60 by Asia-Pacific institutions. Both regions primarily relied on “indirect” refusal strategies and “adjuncts” to protect the applicant’s face. Interestingly, “direct” refusal strategies, which are more face-threatening, were notably more common in European universities’ responses. The study concludes with insights and recommendations for making the academic job application process more considerate for both applicants and institutions.