درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

AI-enabled solutions and systems, including AI chatbots, are revolutionizing teaching and learning processes in language education programs and language classrooms, profoundly changing traditional methodology and pedagogy. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of implementing and utilizing three AI chatbots, Claude, Chat GPT, and Google Gemini, with traditional instruction in an academic writing course at Ilam University, Iran. To this end, of 39 TEFL MA students enrolling in an academic writing course, four homogeneous classes of nine students were organized. In three classes, the three AI chatbots were used for providing feedback, correction, revision guidance, and tips for outlining, moves, and paragraph organization. A class with traditional teacher-centered instruction was also organized. At the end of the course, students in all four classes were tasked with writing two essays. A team of three raters was asked to rate the essays based on a common rubric. The rating results showed that students who received AI-enhanced instruction through the use of Claude achieved the highest scores, followed by those who received instruction with ChatGPT and Google Gemini, respectively. The participants in all three AI-enabled classes outperformed the participants in the class with traditional instruction. The rating results confirmed the effectiveness of AI-enhanced writing instruction, highlighting Claude as the most effective AI tool, and ChatGPT and Google Gemini in the second and third ranks, respectively. Based on the course outcomes, AI-enabled writing instruction is more effective than traditional instruction.

This study examines the representation of moral values in English language teaching (ELT) textbooks from two distinct educational contexts: Iran and France. Building on existing scholarship that positions textbooks as ideological tools, the study examines Vision 1 and New Bridges 2e to investigate how moral content reflects national educational priorities. The research is guided by two key questions: how moral values are distributed across social, individual, cultural, and global categories in each textbook, and how these distributions align with their respective sociocultural frameworks. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining qualitative content analysis with quantitative frequency analysis. A total of 274 moral value instances were identified across 10 units from each textbook. The findings revealed that Vision 1 emphasized social and cultural values consistent with collectivist and religious ideologies. In contrast, New Bridges 2e focused more on global and individual values aligned with secular and democratic ideals. The results demonstrate how textbooks mirror national ideologies and contribute to shaping students’ ethical perspectives. These insights have important implications for curriculum developers, educators, and policymakers interested in promoting culturally responsive and ethically grounded language education. The study also highlights the need for increased awareness of the moral messages embedded in language materials and calls for further research on how such content is interpreted and enacted in classroom practice.

Research on relative clause (RC) ambiguity resolution in first and second-language contexts has produced conflicting results, with some studies indicating a preference for high attachment, others favoring low attachment, and some reporting no clear preference. In conjunction with other variables, these mixed results may be due to variations in the methodological features employed across studies. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a systematic review of the methodological features of relevant offline tasks to evaluate how these differences may lead to conflicting results critically. To address this issue, a systematic methodological review was conducted analyzing 108 features of offline tasks, including identification, context, materials, design, administration, data analysis, open science practices, and transparency. The results revealed significant methodological variation in the literature and a moderate mean transparency score of 59.77. These findings emphasize the need for methodological standardization and greater transparency in future research to ensure reliable and comparable RC ambiguity resolution research results.

Because of their objective measurement and unambiguous correspondences, syntactic parameters are used as comparanda for deep comparison and relatedness of language varieties. The Parametric Comparison Method (Longobardi & Guardiano, 2009) is based on the hypothesis that syntactic parameters are appropriate traits to use as comparanda for contrastive analysis and distance measurement of language pairs and then to provide language taxonomy. This article addresses the syntactic distance and genealogical taxonomy of language varieties that are closely related genealogically, geographically, and culturally. To analyze relatedness and genealogical issues of Kurdish language varieties and the Persian language, abstract grammatical rules, modeled as syntactic parameters which are applied in the domain of determiner phrase (DP), are used as comparanda. The results show that Laki and Lori are at a close distance from Sorani, and on the other hand, Kurmanji and Kɪrdki are also close syntactically. According to the tree achieved from the syntactic distances, Kurmanji is at one end of the spectrum and Persian is at the other end. Thus, it can be concluded that some preliminary deductions regarding the phylogenetic taxonomy of the Iranian languages and dialects, with a focus on Kurdish language varieties and other related dialects, can be proposed.

The world is not a neutral or value-free reality, but each person inevitably experiences it in terms of value. So, every person in the society has a perception of reality and the translator is no exception. However, this has a lot to do with his/her social status. Understanding a symbolic system such as language as a product of culture is done through our expression of reality. Identity construction is somehow related to reality construction. So the main issue is not how the narrative is constructed as a text, but how it acts as a mental tool in constructing reality and consequently, identity. Like the controversial issue of language and thought, it is not easy to deal with narrative discourse and narrative thinking, since the reality existed in the mind, depends on the spatio-temporal framework of the culture in question. In this regard, elaborating on the concept of narrative identity, and the applicability of Goffman’s Frame Analysis in mentioned concept, this paper shows how society, as a cultural frame, forces the translator or the publisher to retell the narrative and to reconstruct the identity, and why this identity formation will be more pronounced in the paratextual elements (translatorial &authorial prefaces). Analyzing the frame of 80s, along with literature and media, it proposes a hybrid model based on Somers’ features (Paul Ricoeur’s Mimesis), and Goffman’s Framework for the concrete manifestation of renarration, and the incorporation of the core conception of identity formation, to indicate how orientalism concepts have been renarrated in translatorial and authorial prefaces of Edward Said’s Orientalism, affected by structure or agency during 80s in Iran, and how these prefaces play a crucial role in framing readers’ interpretation. Finally, it has concluded that, regarding structure/agency, and the involvement of multiple agents in translation, different author-functions and identities have developed through the presentation of the prefaces in question.

This study examines the accessibility of translated navigational signs in Tehran Metro as a key site of public translation. Using field observations supported by the User-Centered Translation (UCT) framework, it assesses the clarity, consistency, and usability of bilingual signage and other multimedia  features across multiple metro stations and lines. The analysis identifies recurring inconsistencies in transliteration, translation choices, and the alignment between station names at stations and on the official metro map. These variations demonstrate the lack of a standardized approach to multilingual communication within the network and highlight the impact of such discrepancies on user navigation. The study contributes empirical data to ongoing discussions of translation in public spaces by showing how multilingual signage practices can either facilitate or hinder effective wayfinding in transit environments.

The integration of technology into education, especially in English Language Teaching (ELT), has transformed learning experiences, fostering increased engagement, motivation, and improved outcomes. Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) has emerged as a promising tool within this paradigm, offering unique opportunities for language learners. This study examines the impact of MALL on the attitudes, cognitive load, and performance of Iranian EFL learners. The participants were divided into treatment and control groups, with the treatment group using the ELSA app for pronunciation improvement. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and pronunciation assessments. The findings revealed that learners had a positive attitude towards pronunciation learning via MALL, experienced a reduction in cognitive load, and demonstrated a negative correlation between cognitive load and pronunciation performance. The integration of technology into education, especially in English Language Teaching (ELT), has transformed learning experiences, fostering increased engagement, motivation, and improved outcomes. Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) has emerged as a promising tool within this paradigm, offering unique opportunities for language learners. This study examines the impact of MALL on the attitudes, cognitive load, and performance of Iranian EFL learners. The participants were divided into treatment and control groups, with the treatment group using the ELSA app for pronunciation improvement. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and pronunciation assessments. The findings revealed that learners had a positive attitude towards pronunciation learning via MALL, experienced a reduction in cognitive load, and demonstrated a negative correlation between cognitive load and pronunciation performance.

This article examines the evolution of teacher education in Iran, with a specific focus on English language teacher training. Utilizing a qualitative analysis of historical documents, the study identifies six distinct periods in this evolution. The first period marks the foundation of teacher education with the establishment of the Dar al-Fonun School. The second period saw the formalization of teacher education through the Central and Higher Teacher Training Colleges. In the third period, teacher training expanded with the creation of Preliminary and Higher Colleges, focusing on multidisciplinary fields, including the French language. The fourth period introduced specialized programs, such as English language teaching, which replaced French. During the fifth period, teacher training centers reached their peak and then declined. Finally, the sixth period marks a shift in the educational system’s approach to teacher education, highlighted by the establishment of Farhangian University. Throughout these periods, English language teacher curricula evolved from classical and structural approaches to communicative and interactive methods. This shift not only highlights the changing pedagogical landscape in Iran but also underscores the need for curricula that better prepare teachers for contemporary classroom dynamics. The findings showcase the developmental trajectory of teacher education in Iran, emphasizing the need to address future challenges.

Vladimir Propp en tant que structuraliste et folkloriste russe, a bien essayé de formuler un système unique qui fonctionne dans tous les contes sans tenir compte de la divergence entre la langue, la littérature et la culture. Le Livre du Roi ou Shâhnâmeh de Ferdowsî est l’un des chefs-d’œuvre de la littérature persane qui est considéré comme l’héritage et l’identité culturels de notre passé historique. Cette étude a pour but de déterminer si toutes ces structures constantes et les fonctions permanentes proposées par Propp sont applicables à travers une partie de Shâhnâmeh intitulée Zahhak. Propp a développé sa théorie en étudiant les contes populaires, qui ont une structure narrative relativement simple. Shâhnâmeh, étant une œuvre épique, est beaucoup plus complexe. Il serait important d’examiner dans quelle mesure les fonctions de Propp se rapportent à cette narration épique et si certaines d’entre elles sont plus pertinentes que d’autres. En plus, étant donné l’aspect indissociable de la forme et du fond, nous allons mentionner l’impact de l’épopée sur la société iranienne. Cela nous amène à bien analyser aussi les caractéristiques du conte et les notions atemporelles au confluent de la forme et du contenu qui caractérisent l’œuvre de Ferdowsî. Il serait intéressant d’examiner comment une représentation allégorique de la société ainsi que l’imperfection humaine se manifestent à travers le conte de Zahhak.

The evaluation of students' writings and the allocation of scores are traditionally time-intensive and inherently subjective, often resulting in inconsistencies among human raters. Automated essay scoring systems were introduced to address these issues; however, their development has historically been resource-intensive, restricting their application to standardized tests such as TOEFL and IELTS. Consequently, these systems were not readily accessible to educators and learners. Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have expanded the potential of automated scoring systems, enabling them to analyze written texts and assign scores with increased efficiency and versatility. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of an AI-based scoring system, DeepAI, with human evaluators. A quantitative approach, grounded in Corder's (1974) Error Analysis framework, was used to analyze approximately 200 essays written by Persian-speaking EFL learners. Paired sample t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficients were employed to assess the congruence between errors identified and scores assigned by the two methods. The findings revealed a moderate correlation between human and AI scores, with AI diagnosing a greater number of errors than human raters. These results underscore the potential of AI in augmenting writing assessment practices while highlighting its pedagogical implications for language instructors and learners, particularly in evaluating the essays of EFL students.

Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is an international comparative study of reading comprehension that is administered by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) to measure the reading competency of fourth grade students in the participating countries. The test is a very comprehensive measure of reading literacy which covers a wide variety of reading subskills and texts. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the psychometric qualities of PIRLS 2021 using the national data of Kazakhstan. The 2-parameter item response theory was used to evaluate the test. Item difficulty, discrimination, infit, outfit, and the root mean square deviance (RMSD) fit statistics were examined. The multiple-group IRT was used to examine differential item functioning. Findings sowed that PIRLS 2021 is a robust measure of reading comprehension and does not exhibit differential item functioning (DIF). However, based on the 2PL discrimination and infit and outfit values, several items are problematic. The implications of this finding are discussed.

This study explores teachers’ readiness to implement generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in their teaching and learning processes, alongside the benefits and challenges related to its utilizations in the Omani context. The data analysis process involved analyzing responses from the 5-point Likert scale questionnaire using descriptive statistics. A sample of 61 teachers with different qualifications from different educational institutions in the Sultanate of Oman participated in the study. The findings revealed that teachers had a positive level of readiness to implement GenAI, highlighting a spectrum of readiness levels, such as attending training sessions about GenAI, and a significant willingness of utilizing GenAI tools in their classes. On the other hand, teachers reported a positive benefit and experience in improving their teaching, stating that GenAI enables them to save their time, improves their teaching experience and job satisfaction, and offers them adaptive learning and instant feedback. However, findings revealed number of challenges for teachers such as a lack of awareness about policies and ethics in implementing GenAI tools, and their cost. Moreover, teachers indicated a moderate concern regarding the challenges of integrating GenAI tools into their teaching practices. Based on the findings, the study provides significant insight for teachers, policymakers, and syllabi designers, stressing the significant importance of preparing teachers to efficiently integrate GenAI in their pedagogical duties to make the most educational potential while mitigating related risks.

Despite the fact that impoliteness has been the focus of much investigation in various contexts, including political and cultural, there remains a paucity of evidence on the manifestation of impoliteness in literary texts. Examining Harold Pinter’s Mountain Language (1988) and Ashes to Ashes (1996), this paper discloses the impact of (im)politeness on identity. It posits that because of a mismatch in power dynamics and impoliteness between communicators, identity and self-esteem are subject to threat. Harold Pinter’s plays manifest profound interconnection between (im)politeness and identity construction/destruction. Our analysis shows how, in plays under scrutiny, characters are in a constant verbal struggle for survival and dominance and how this conflict impacts on characters’ social identity. Adopting Bousfield and McIntyre (2018) alongside Garcés-Conejos Blitvich (2009)’s model, this paper elucidates how impoliteness operates within the political settings of the plays in which the oppressors’ aggressive language aims to delegitimize the social identity of the oppressed ones. Furthermore, we strive to indicate how the impolite language and social/individual identity are closely related which contributes to a deeper understanding of characterization in literary works.