درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

This study aimed to explore the key components of identity development in adolescents with sensory impairments. This qualitative study employed a phenomenological approach to examine the lived experiences of adolescents with sensory impairments. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 31 participants recruited via online platforms. Theoretical saturation was reached, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of identity development in this population. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis, with NVivo software facilitating the identification of core themes and subthemes. The results highlighted four primary themes shaping identity development in adolescents with sensory impairments. Personal identity formation was influenced by self-perception, emotional regulation, autonomy, and future aspirations. Social identity was shaped by peer relationships, family dynamics, social stigma, and the presence of mentors. Cultural and community belonging emerged as a significant factor, with participants emphasizing the role of cultural engagement, media representation, and community participation in shaping their identity. Coping strategies, including the use of assistive technologies, psychological resilience, and adaptive social skills, were found to play a crucial role in navigating identity-related challenges. These findings align with existing literature emphasizing the intersection of self-perception, social interactions, and cultural narratives in identity formation. The study underscores the complexity of identity development in adolescents with sensory impairments, highlighting the interplay between personal, social, cultural, and adaptive factors. The findings suggest that fostering inclusive educational environments, providing mentorship opportunities, and improving media representation can positively impact identity formation in this population. Further research is needed to explore identity development across diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds to develop targeted interventions.

This study investigates the role of euphemistic strategies in the manipulation of realities and persuasion within political discourse, focusing on speeches by American and Iranian politicians during the 2013-2015 nuclear negotiations. Employing Van Dijk's socio-cognitive model, the research conducts a comparative discourse analysis to identify and categorize euphemistic expressions used to justify policies, address controversial issues, and influence public opinion. The analysis reveals distinct patterns in the use of euphemistic strategies, with American politicians, such as John Kerry, frequently employing polarization and burden/topos, while Iranian politicians, like Mohammad Javad Zarif, emphasize evidentiality and positive self-presentation. These differences reflect varying rhetorical styles and objectives, highlighting how euphemisms serve as tools for ideological manipulation and audience persuasion. The study underscores the importance of understanding euphemistic language in political communication, offering insights into the mechanisms of public perception shaping and the legitimization of political agendas. By comparing English and Persian political discourses, this research contributes to cross-cultural discourse analysis and enhances critical discourse awareness, equipping audiences to deconstruct political rhetoric and recognize underlying persuasive techniques.

This study examined the effects of peer and teacher technology-enhanced scaffolding through process approach on Iranian EFL learners’ collocational knowledge with regard to impulsivity and reflectivity. The participants included 132 EFL learners at the intermediate level selected from an initial number of 204 learners based on their scores on Preliminary English Test (PET). The 132 learners were divided into three groups and given a collocation pretest and the reflectivity/impulsivity questionnaire. The three groups of the study were the peer scaffolding (N=48), the teacher scaffolding (N=43), and the control group (N=41). In each of the three groups, there were both reflective and impulsive learners. The first experimental group received peer scaffolding via Telegram while the second experimental group was exposed to teacher scaffolding. As for the control group, no teacher or peer scaffolding was provided and the learners were taught collocations in a conventional way. After the treatment, the posttest of collocations was given to the three groups. The results revealed that both peer and teacher scaffolding significantly affected collocation learning. However, there was no significant difference between peer and teacher scaffolding in terms of their effects on collocation learning. The results also indicated that the main effect of treatment on collocation learning was significant; however, there was not a statistically significant interaction between peer and teacher scaffolding through the process approach in a technology-enhanced environment and reflectivity vs. impulsivity on EFL learners’ collocation learning. Based on the results, EFL teachers can employ both peer and teacher scaffolding in a technology-enhanced environment to improve EFL learners’ collocational knowledge irrespective of learners’ impulsivity and reflectivity.

This study aimed to compare the effects of Automated Writing Evaluation Feedback (AWEF) and Peer Feedback (PF) on the development of self-regulation in writing among Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. The participants consisted of 58 intermediate-level Persian-speaking English learners, aged 25 to 30, enrolled in two intact IELTS preparation classes at a private language institute in Tehran. The learners were assigned into two experimental groups: one group (n = 30) received peer feedback, while the other (n = 28) received automated feedback through ProWritingAid. To assess the impact of these interventions, data were collected using the Writing Strategies for Self-Regulated Learning Questionnaire (WSSRLQ), semi-structured interviews, and classroom observations. Quantitative analysis using independent samples t-tests revealed significant improvements in self-regulation scores for both groups post-intervention, with the AWEF group showing a significantly greater increase. Qualitative analysis of interview and observation data further supported these findings, indicating that AWEF participants engaged in more structured and proactive revision practices, while PF participants developed greater reflective awareness and emotional resilience through collaborative interaction. Triangulated results confirmed that both feedback types positively influenced self-regulated writing behaviors, with AWEF demonstrating a stronger overall impact.

English for Specific Purposes (ESP) education has gained prominence as a specialized field designed to address the distinct linguistic needs of learners. Although AI-enhanced instruction has been investigated within general English language learning, its implementation in ESP contexts particularly concerning vocabulary recall and retention has remained insufficiently explored. This study sought to evaluate the impact of AI-supported instruction on vocabulary recall and retention among Iranian ESP learners. Based on non-random convenience sampling, a total of 48 undergraduate students in an ESP course from a university in a southeastern province in Iran participated in the present quasi-experimental study. The participants were non-randomly assigned into two different groups: an experimental group (n=24) receiving AI-powered vocabulary instruction through Diffit, and a control group (n=24) receiving traditional print-based vocabulary instruction. Data were collected during a twelve-week intervention through AI-powered instruction of ESP vocabulary. To address the research questions, a univariate repeated measures analysis of covariate (ANCOVA) was employed. Findings revealed that AI-enhanced instruction significantly improved vocabulary recall and retention among ESP learners. The results offer robust evidence supporting the efficacy of AI-based instructional approaches in enhancing vocabulary learning outcomes within ESP settings.