مطالب

In modern education, teachers are regarded as a central and focal part of educational systems and are responsible in the development of education. It should be mentioned that teachers have an influential role in planning and offering an effective and significant educational program. The significant role of teacher-related variables in affecting teachers’ performance and learning outcomes of students has been widely acknowledged in various educational contexts. Therefore, the investigation of teacher variables has received research attention in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. To contribute to this line of research, the current study was set to investigate the role of teacher reflection and self-efficacy in predicting burnout among Iranian EFL teachers. To this end, three validated scales measuring these variables were administered to a number of 171 male and female teachers. As for the data analysis, Structural Equation Modeling was utilized to test the hypothesized model of the constructs. The results indicated that teacher reflection accounted for 12.1% of the variance, and teacher self-efficacy accounted for 25.2% of the variance in burnout. Although both variables had a unique effect on teaching burnout, teacher self-efficacy turned out to be a stronger predictor of burnout. Concerning the implications, teacher education programs may pay more serious attention to teacher self-efficacy and reflection as they proved to play a significant role in reducing teacher burnout.

Abstract<br />This study aimed to explore any type and level of association between Iranian EFL learners’ proficiency level and their intercultural sensitivity on the one hand, and the possible relation between vocabulary knowledge and sensitivity to cultural differences on the other. To this end, Oxford Quick Placement Test (OQPT) was administered to 220 EFL leaners. Based on the results of this test, a homogenized sample of 150 EFL learners (70 male and 80 female) at intermediate and upper-intermediate levels was selected. Afterwards, the participants took Vocabulary Levels Test (VLT) developed by Nation, and validated by Webb, Sasao, and Balance. Finally, Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS) by Chen & Starosta was administered. The results of Pearson correlation analyses revealed a statistically significant correlation between the participants' proficiency level and their intercultural sensitivity. The results of regression analyses also indicated that language proficiency contributes as much as 55.4 percent to the prediction of level of intercultural sensitivity. Moreover, a significant positive correlation was detected between EFL learners’ L2 vocabulary knowledge and their intercultural sensitivity level. Further, the results revealed that Iranian EFL learners’ L2 vocabulary knowledge can offer contributions up to 17.3 percent to the prediction of intercultural sensitivity level. These findings can offer prominent implications for all practitioners, material developers, and EFL instructors who are primarily preoccupied with linguistic competence. The results can motivate them to consider intercultural sensitivity as a complementary element to EFL learners’ linguistic knowledge, as well as their communicative commands.

The aim of this paper was to investigate the role of two cognitive factors, namely, personality traits and narrative writing intelligence (NWI) in L2 writing. The total of 416 English learners participated in this study in two different phases.<br /> For the purpose of this study, a narrative writing intelligence scale (NWIS) was designed and used to score the writings of the first group of participants which included 200 Iranian learners of English in an EFL institute. The first writing task, which was a film recounting, contributed to designing this scale. Randall’s (1999) definition of narrative intelligence was the guideline to design the primary draft of NWIS. All 200 written film recounting were scored by this scale. The scores were transferred to SPSS 18.0. and Exploratory Factor Analysis was run. NWIS’ construct validity and reliability were confirmed. Moreover, the underlying dimensions causing correlation among the observed variables were reduced in three factors which account for 57.47% of the variance of the scale. The factors were named as Unity of the plot, Identification (of characters, objects, and ideas), and Voice and Rhetoric. <br /> The second group, who were female university students of EFL, were given two tasks, namely, writing a memory and filling Big-Five Personality test. Their writings were evaluated twice; once by employing the NWIS and once by a tailor-made writing scoring guide taken from Weigle’s (2002) guideline. Transferring all scores to Amos. 20, a SEM model was proposed by the researchers. The result shows the proposed model has good fit indices.

Background: Attention to ethics is a serious work in organizations that today attracts the attention of organizations more than ever. The present study conducted to investigate the relation between mental health with work ethic and organizational growth in ministry of education of Tehran providence. Method: Information gathering method was correlational descriptive and in terms of objective it was practical. The statistical population consisted of 2355 staffs all working in ministry of Tehran’s education. The data collection tools were three standard questionnaires as follows: Spaides organizational growth Questionnaire (2007) with a reliability coefficient of 0.83, the Goldberg and Hiller mental health questionnaire (1978) with a reliability coefficient of 0.85, the Gregory Sipeti work ethics Questionnaire (1990) with a reliability coefficient of 0.86. Collected data analyzed by SPSS-22 statistical software using K-S and multiple regressions. Results: The results were as follows: A) There is a meaningful relationship between the ethics of working with mental health in the education staff of the city of Tehran, and ethics make up 65.7% of the changes in mental health B) There is a significant relationship between work-related ethics and organizational growth in Tehranchr('39')s education and training staff and work ethic explains 53.5% of organizational change changes. Conclusion: Observing the principles and techniques of work ethics, in order to increase the level of mental health and organizational growth, can be realized through educational programs.

Background: Nowadays, one of the aspects of power and distinction of organizations is the enjoyment of desirable organizational culture. The organizational culture of each complex is the full representation of the organization, which shows the inner and outer face of the commitment of the employees to principles of ethics. Professional ethic is related to values and norms and is one of the most important issues that have been considered in different areas of the modern world. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to predict professional ethics with respect to organizational culture. Method: The research method is descriptive-correlation. The statistical population consists of 230 people who are the employees of Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch and the sample size was determined 103 people using Cochran formula with 95% confidence level and a Stratified Random Sampling method. Standard questionnaires were used to collect data. The obtained data were analyzed using Smart PLS and SPSS structural equation modeling. Results: Findings of the research indicate that the components of perceived organizational culture have a significant effect on the dimensions of professional ethic including accountability, honesty, justice, fairness, loyalty, respect for others, competition, sympathy, respect for values. Also, based on the multiple regression analysis, components of organizational culture predict all dimensions of employee ethic and finally, it can be concluded that the professional ethic of the employees are at a favorable level. Conclusion: The results of the present research illustrate that the components of organizational culture predict the dimensions of professional ethics of the employees.