درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Online collaborative writing (OCW) is an essential pedagogical method in higher education, promoting learner interaction and shared responsibilities in academic writing tasks. While previous research has explored learners’ perceptions of OCW across various academic writing genres, there is a lack of investigation into how OCW impacts higher education students’ perceptions of their research article abstract writing performance. Utilizing an OCW perception questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, this study aimed to gauge the perceptions of 20 Iranian PhD TEFL candidates regarding an online collaborative academic writing course focused on writing research article abstracts. Quantitative and descriptive analysis of the questionnaire data and qualitative thematic analysis of the interview questions revealed that participants held positive views of technology-mediated writing instruction. However, they noted challenges faced, such as connectivity issues, software glitches, or time management. Besides, they offered recommendations, including exerting more rigid rules and defining more online assignments for the betterment of such online courses. The findings underscore the necessity of integrating technology-based writing instruction into teacher training programs to equip educators with essential skills for effective implementation. Besides, given the participants’ favorable looks towards interactive platforms like Google Docs, conducting joint research article writing programs can enhance the collaborative writing experience, ultimately leading to better academic outcomes for doctoral candidates.

The present study aims to explore Vietnamese English for Specific Purposes (ESP) teachers’ assessment strategies to support students’ preparation for industry demands in the hospitality sector. Using a qualitative design, it employed a two-staged data collection process comprising a narrative frame and semi-structured interviews with five experienced ESP teachers from a university in Vietnam. The data were analyzed drawing on an inductive approach to content analysis. The findings showed the teachers’ support for devising authentic assessment strategies based on available teaching materials and ESP resources to respond to industry requirements. They emphasized the need for more stringent collaboration between educational institutions and industry stakeholders to develop more relevant assessment strategies, and investment in dedicated learning resources to better prepare students for workplace communication. Additionally, the teachers advocated for specialized assessments that addressed the limitations of traditional language proficiency tests and aligned more closely with the linguistic and communicative demands of the hospitality industry. This study provides actionable recommendations for ESP teachers, program developers and course coordinators to design and deploy authentic assessment strategies that simulate real-life professional scenarios, consequently enhancing students’ employability.

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.

In the second language (L2) assessment realm, cognitive diagnostic assessment (CDA) emerges as an exceptionally practicable methodology, enabling a meticulous analysis of linguistic competencies and furnishing granular insights into learners’ proficiencies and deficiencies, thereby charting precise remedial pathways. The primary objective of this research was to develop a cognitive model of attributes underlying an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment descriptor, namely grammatical range and accuracy. The model sought to enable the development of a diagnostic instrument informed by CDA, which would investigate candidates’ grammatical strengths and weaknesses to improve their performance in the IELTS. Through a multi-stage process involving qualitative data collection, interpretation, and synthesis, a comprehensive scheme emerged, categorizing cognitive attributes into two main areas: (a) knowledge of grammatical forms, including pronouns, determiners/quantifiers, adjectives, adverbials, nouns/noun phrases, verbs/tenses, and prepositions, and (b) familiarity with structural nuances, including punctuation and structural sophistication. These nine micro-level attributes comprised several sub-components aligned with three proficiency classes: A1-A2, B1-B2, and C1-C2. The model laid the groundwork for developing a three-booklet multiple-choice test. Alongside conducting pilot testing and item analysis, the study employed a saturated psychometric model to validate the CDA-informed instrument. The results confirmed the instruments’ internal consistency, validity, satisfactory fit, and effectiveness in classifying examinees based on attribute-specific mastery levels. The findings underscored severe weaknesses in punctuation, structural complexity, and verb tense usage, pinpointing crucial areas demanding targeted instructional enhancement. The theoretical implications highlight a refined understanding of grammatical competencies, while pedagogically, the results advocate for targeted teaching strategies.

This study adopted Talmy's (1985, 2000) typological framework of motion events to systematically analyze manner-of-motion verbs in three representative Gothic texts: Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" (1843) and "The Black Cat" (1843) and Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" (1948).  The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods, including corpus analysis, to identify key narrative functions of motion verbs (e.g., indicating physical or mental resistance, violence, and deception). It then showed how these verbs built tension, horror, and dread. Findings revealed that fundamental movement verbs dominated (45.6%), establishing an atmosphere of false normalcy, while sudden eruptions of violent motion and physical resistance created a pressure-release dynamic central to Gothic aesthetics. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrated significant stylistic divergences in the authors' employment of motion verbs, reflecting the dual nature of Gothic aesthetics: Jackson’s use of ritualistic motion highlighted communal horror contrasting with Poe’s focus on psychological disintegration. The paper concluded that Gothic fiction transformed mundane actions into kinetic terror, with motion verbs functioning as both narrative catalysts and psychological markers. These insights advance the understanding of how linguistic structures shape genre-specific emotional effects, offering a quantitative and narrative-functional framework for analyzing Gothic literature.

The present paper reports a study conducted among Iranian English as a foreign language (EFL) learners, addressing the critical issue of imagined identity/community within a globalized world. The concepts of “imagined identities” and “imagined communities” (ICs) refer to the internalized self-conceptions learners develop regarding who they aspire to be and the broader social groups they envision themselves as part of in the context of language learning, respectively . Drawing on Norton’s (2000, 2001) framework of ICs, this study focused on the diverse imaginations that Iranian EFL learners possess while learning English. The study involved five participants, aged between 13 and 36, and employed a qualitative approach utilizing semi-structured interviews for data collection. Through these interviews, rich narratives illustrating the learners’ unique perspectives emerged. The findings revealed that while the imagined identities/communities differed among participants, a common thread was their significant influence on guiding learners through the language learning process. Moreover, the research indicated that a lack of awareness regarding learners’ desired membership in their ICs could detrimentally impact their engagement and commitment to language learning, often resulting in various forms of non-participation in the classroom. Pedagogical implications of the study for EFL teaching practices, emphasizing the importance of creating classroom environments that validate and support learners' ICs and foster their imagined identities/communities as essential components of effective language instruction, are discussed. The study also offers recommendations for future research endeavors to further explore the dynamic interplay between imagined identities/communities and language learning outcomes.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of massed, clumped, and spaced distribution of an Augmented Reality-Assisted Language (ARAL) application on young English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners' vocabulary learning. Forty-eight native Persian speakers, ages 5 to 10, who attended a private international school in Istanbul, Turkey, participated in the research. To teach vocabulary items, the researchers used a researchers-made augmented reality smartphone application based on a phonics book. Using the ARAL application, three groups of primary school students were assigned to receive instruction: massed learning (one lesson per day for four days in a row), clumped learning (two lessons twice a week with a brief break), and spaced learning (one lesson per day for four days in a row). The impact of the ARAL application was assessed using a pre-test–post-test approach. The ANCOVA results demonstrated that the learning environment had an impact on the students' vocabulary development. The greatest post-test scores were obtained in the massed condition. Therefore, the results demonstrate the value of incorporating massed learning methodologies into EFL teaching practices and validate the efficacy of massed learning using ARAL for Persian-speaking EFL learners. The results have consequences for curriculum writers, administrators, and EFL teachers who want to use the massed dissemination method of ARAL application.

Patrick Modiano en Iran: d'une entrée silencieuse à un accueil enthousiaste. Cet article examine la réception de l'œuvre de Patrick Modiano en Iran en s’appuyant sur la théorie de la réception développée par Hans Robert Jauss. Cette approche met l’accent sur le rôle actif des lecteurs et sur l’évolution de leur « horizon d’attente », influencé par des contextes culturels, historiques et sociaux. Cette étude vise à analyser les raisons du succès tardif de Modiano en Iran et à comprendre comment son œuvre a progressivement conquis un public varié. D’abord méconnu, Modiano a vu sa notoriété croître grâce au Prix Nobel de littérature en 2014. Les traducteurs et éditeurs iraniens ont joué un rôle clé dans l’introduction de ses œuvres auprès des lecteurs. Les thématiques centrales de l’écrivain, sone style épuré et poétique, ainsi que la structure narrative hybride de ses romans ont captivé un lectorat de plus en plus large en Iran.

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.  

A critical characteristic of effective teachers is their ability to manage unforeseen and critical incidents (CIs) defined as disruptive events that undermine teachers’ resilience. While existing research has examined CIs across various educational contexts, their potential for the professional development (PD) of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) teachers has remained under explored. This qualitative study sought to explore the types of CIs encountered by Iranian EAP teachers and to assess how reflection on such incidents contributes to their PD. Twelve EAP teachers participated in this study based on convenience sampling. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted individually at an English institute in Kerman, Iran, and the results went through inductive thematic analysis and inter-coder reliability which identified three primary themes of CIs: teacher-related, learner-related, and institution-related. Additionally, the findings indicated that reflection on CIs fostered EAP teachers’ cognitive, affective, and social dimensions of PD. The study implies the necessity of targeted PD initiatives through reflection on CIs in the context of Iran. While complete mitigation of CIs may seem unlikely, reflective practice can lead to positive outcomes for all parties including EAP teachers, students, and administrators.

This study addresses a significant knowledge gap in understanding the effects of task-specific enjoyment and anxiety conditions on the language mindset of Iranian EFL learners in a listening course. Using a quasi-experimental design, 75 male high school students were divided into three groups: a task enjoyment (TE) group, a task anxiety (TA) group, and a control group. The TE group participated in a low-stakes, autonomy-based listening task designed to foster enjoyment, while the TA group completed a high-stakes, evaluative listening task intended to induce anxiety. Data were collected using standardized instruments, including the Foreign Language Enjoyment Scale (FLES), the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS), and the Language Mindset Inventory (LMI). A series of T-tests and ANOVA were conducted to analyze pre- and post-test scores across the three groups. Results showed that the TE group experienced significantly higher levels of task enjoyment and subsequently developed significantly stronger growth-oriented beliefs regarding overall linguistic intelligence and second language learning compared to both the TA and control groups. Conversely, the TA group exhibited significantly higher anxiety levels and a shift toward more fixed language mindsets. No significant differences were found between groups regarding beliefs about age sensitivity in language learning. These findings highlight the importance of considering task-related emotions in language teaching and suggest that fostering enjoyment through autonomy-supportive tasks can promote a growth mindset, while anxiety-inducing tasks may reinforce fixed beliefs about language learning.

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.

In spite of the longitudinal attempts of the educational authorities, English has failed to have a proper position in the ELT educational system in Iran, resulting in the weak performance of Iranian EFL learners. As a result, this study was carried out to integrate sociocultural theory, multimodality theory, multiple intelligence theory, and social identity theory to develop a comprehensive conceptual model for understanding and overcoming ELT curriculum challenges. A transformative sequential mixed research design was adopted to explore the challenges, perceptions, and provision of the model. First of all, a total of 49 articles were selected from well-established journals to map the related challenges. The review and comparison processes were conducted based on Tricco et al.’s (2018) PRISMA_SCR model (thematic analysis). The extracted categories of challenges were explored in relation to the principles of the four mentioned theories, and nine categories were selected to align with the principles of the mentioned theories. Then, 403 participants from three categories of stakeholders (pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, and scholars) were chosen, and their perceptions were assessed through the administration of a researcher-developed Likert-scale questionnaire. Moreover, some interview questions were drawn up to guide the qualitative phase, and an observation checklist was developed to assist in monitoring ELT classroom practices (to confirm the extracted challenges and assure the validity of the questionnaire). The results, obtained through SPSS and SEM statistical platforms, revealed that all three groups of participants considered authenticity, lack of communicative skill, deficiency in teacher training programs, and malfunctioning assessment methods as the most important challenges. This study has highlighted the effect of the application of the principles of sociocultural and social identity theories in developing an optimal learning environment that is socially and culturally responsive. Moreover, the principles of multimodality theory have emphasized the positive effect of the application of different instructional resources in promoting engagement and development among EFL learners. On the other hand, the principles of multiple intelligence theory call for differentiated instruction and assessment to address various cognitive and emotional capacities of learners. By integrating sociocultural, social identity, multiple intelligence, and multimodality theories, this study has provided a holistic framework for reforming the most significant ELT curriculum challenges.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is affecting various aspects of education and there is a need to consider the consequences of this technological improvement on achievement and attitudes of the most direct stakeholders. Therefore, this study has focused on the effect of AI on teaching English with three key areas of concern: the effect of Chat-GPT-driven materials on learning outcomes, the attitudes of teachers who use Chat-GPT -informed pedagogy, and the students’ attitudes towards Chat-GPT-integrated materials. This study used a quasi-experimental intervention-based research design to achieve the intended objectives. Based on the type of educational institution, the participants were divided into three groups (90 students from Iranian language institutes, 100 students from public high schools, and 100 students from private high schools). Furthermore, fourteen teachers from these institutions shared their viewpoints on the use of AI, particularly Chat-GPT, in developing instructional materials. Pre- and post-tests were administered to check the effect of treatments on each group (based on the syllabus developed for those specific educational institutions). Moreover, two researcher-developed questionnaires were administered among teachers (composed of 27 Likert-Scale items) and students (composed of 23 Likert-Scale items). The obtained results indicated that Chat-GPT significantly improved EFL learners' performance in language institutions. Teachers looked upon AI with favor. This was based on its potential to change the produced educational materials and improve students’ engagement in the learning process. Students, in all three environments, looked positively toward Chat-GPT-driven materials. In short, this study showed the potential for AI to upgrade EFL teaching in Iran.