مطالب

Speaking test anxiety is a pervasive challenge for adult English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners, particularly in contexts where English proficiency is tied to academic and professional advancement. This empirical research study investigates the causes, contributing factors, and potential strategies to cope with speaking test anxiety among adult EFL learners in Saudi Arabia. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative survey data with qualitative interpretations to provide a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. Sixty-eight undergraduate male students, selected through purposive sampling method, participated in this research. The data were collected via standardized instruments (a modified FLCAS, and another survey instrument prepared by the researcher). Research findings reveal that cultural expectations, fear of negative evaluation, less frequency of speaking tests, and limited speaking practice contribute significantly to “the participants' speaking test” anxiety. The study bears significance in Saudi Arabian contexts as it identifies the causes of English speaking and test anxiety among adult learners and also suggests test-taking strategies to cope with test stress and related anxiety. The study concludes with pedagogical recommendations to mitigate anxiety and enhance speaking performance.

Pragmatic competence plays a crucial role in effective communication in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) contexts, yet it is often overlooked in instructional materials. This study investigates the representation and distribution of speech acts in the Speak Out English textbook series (second edition), a widely used resource in EFL classrooms. Drawing on Searle’s (1976) taxonomy, the dialogues from the Starter to Advanced levels were analyzed to assess the frequency and types of speech acts. The results revealed a significant predominance of Assertives (41.7%) and Directives (33.7%), with lower occurrences of Commissives (13.2%), Expressives (10.2%), and a minimal presence of Declaratives (1.1%). This imbalance indicates a limited pragmatic range, which may hinder learners’ communicative competence, especially in formal or professional contexts. The findings suggest that while the series supports functional communication, it falls short in fostering comprehensive pragmatic development. The study highlights the need for more balanced and contextually rich representation of speech acts in EFL textbooks. Implications for teachers, curriculum designers, and textbook developers are discussed, including the importance of integrating meta-pragmatic instruction and culturally relevant examples. This paper contributes to the growing body of research on pragmatic competence and underscores the importance of equipping EFL learners with the skills to engage in diverse communicative situations.

Aim : The aim of this study was to design and validate a serious game-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for adolescent girls with social anxiety, using a structured scenario-writing protocol based on Hoffman's Social Self-Appraisal Therapy Model. Method: The research employed a multi-phase approach encompassing scenario preparation, expert evaluation, face validity testing, usability assessment, and pilot implementation. Content validity was evaluated by ten psychologists and counselors utilizing the Content Validity Index (CVI) and Content Validity Ratio (CVR) metrics. Face validity was assessed utilizing the Story World Absorption Scale (SWAS) with a cohort of 10 adolescent participants. A pilot study including an additional cohort of 10 adolescents evaluated alterations in social anxiety utilizing the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale for Children and Adolescents (LSAS-CA). Usability and player experience were examined through the MEEGA+ instrument.   Results: The results demonstrated strong validity and efficacy of the serious game. Content validity was confirmed (overall CVI > 0.79, CVR > 0.62), along with robust face validity - evidenced by attention and transportation scores exceeding 0.81 (Kappa coefficients = 0.85, 0.81) and emotional engagement and mental imagery scores above 0.61 (Kappa coefficients = 0.78, 0.72). Additionally, a significant T-test result (t(9) = 16.74, p < 0.025) further supported these findings. Based on the MEEGA+ evaluation, the game was classified as 'good quality,' with θ scores ranging from 57.5 to 63.5 across usability and player experience subscales   Conclusion: The results revealed that the CBT-based serious game is both experientially effective and clinically promising. For adolescents with social anxiety, it provides a scalable and entertaining intervention tool, especially in situations where access to conventional therapy is restricted.