مطالب مرتبط با کلیدواژه

Reading Comprehension


۴۱.

EFL Textbook Evaluation: An Analysis of Readability and Vocabulary Profiler of Four Corners Book Series(مقاله پژوهشی دانشگاه آزاد)

نویسنده:
منبع: international Journal of Foreign Language Teaching & Research, Volume ۶, Issue ۲۲, Summer ۲۰۱۸ 47 - 57

کلیدواژه‌ها: Vocabulary Reading Comprehension readability Word frequency K1 words Academic Word List

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This study aimed to investigate whether there is any significant relationship between the readability and vocabulary profile including the most frequent words (K1 words) and academic word list (AWL) of reading passages of Four Corners series which were EFL textbooks. To determine the readability of the texts, the Flesch–Kincaid (1975) readability test was used, while the texts' academic word list and most frequent words which were the indicators of vocabulary profiler were calculated by Cobb's (2002) vocabulary profiler test. In order to analyze the data obtained Pearson Product-Moment correlation coefficients were exploited. With respect to the relationship between readability and most frequent words, there was no significant correlation between readability and K1 words. This means that whatever the text is more difficult, the number of K1 words does not change while it was thought if the text is more difficult the number of K1 words is lower. Concerning the relationship between readability and academic word list, no significant correlation between readability and academic word list was observed, either. In other words, the readability of these texts is not due to their academic word list. It can be concluded that some other factors such as sentence length, syntactic complexity, and learners' background knowledge might contribute to the difficulty of the texts.
۴۲.

The Effect of One Teach-One Assist Model of Co-teaching on Iranian EFL Learners’ Reading Comprehension(مقاله پژوهشی دانشگاه آزاد)

نویسنده:
منبع: The Journal of English Language Pedagogy and Practice, Vol.۱۳, No.۲۶, Spring & Summer ۲۰۲۰ 24 - 48

کلیدواژه‌ها: co-teaching EFL Learners one teach-one assist Reading Comprehension

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Co-teaching is a method that two teachers work together and deliver the instruction in the same classroom to a heterogeneous group of learners. This study was an attempt to find out the effect of one teach-one assist model of co-teaching on Iranian EFL learners’ reading comprehension. To this end, a quasi-experimental design with the pre-test, post-test, and control group was employed and 35 female students within the age range of 15-18 at the elementary level were selected as the participants of the study from Sanjesh-E-No institute in Tabriz, Iran.  They were randomly assigned into the experimental and control groups after taking Key English Test (KET). The experimental group received instruction through two teachers while the control group was taught by a single teacher. Both groups took part in the pre-test and post-test of reading comprehension. The results of an independent-samples t-test revealed that the experimental group had significantly better reading performance compared to the control group. The results of the study can be useful for teachers, students, and any ELT program.
۴۳.

The Comparative Effect of Self-assessment vs. Peer-assessment on Young EFL Learners’ Performance on Selective and Productive Reading Tasks(مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)

نویسنده:
منبع: Iranian Journal of Applied Linguistics (IJAL) Vol. ۲۲, No. ۲, September ۲۰۱۹ 1-35

کلیدواژه‌ها: Peer-assessment Productive tasks Reading Comprehension Selective tasks Self-assessment Young Learners

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This study aimed at investigating the comparative effect of using self-assessment vs. peer-assessment on young EFL learners’ performance on selective and productive reading tasks. To do so, 56 young learners from among 70 students in four intact classes were selected based on their performance on the A1 Movers Test. Then, the participants were randomly divided into two groups, self-assessment and peer-assessment. The reading section of a second A1 Movers Test was adapted into a reading test containing 20 selective and 20 productive items, and it was used as the pretest and posttest. This adapted test was piloted and its psychometric characteristics were checked. In the self-assessment group, the learners assessed their own performance after each reading task while in the peer-assessment group, the participants checked their friends’ performance in pairs. The data were analyzed through repeated-measures two-way ANOVA and MANOVA. The findings indicated that self-assessment and peer-assessment are effective in improving young EFL learners’ performance on both selective and productive reading tasks. Further, neither assessment method outdid the other in improving students’ performance on either task. These findings have practical implications for EFL teachers and materials developers to use both assessment methods to encourage learners to have better performance on reading tasks.
۴۴.

Shadowing and Scaffolding Techniques Affecting L2 Reading Comprehension(مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)

نویسنده:
منبع: Applied Research on English Language, V. ۹ , N. ۱ , ۲۰۲۰ 53 - 74

کلیدواژه‌ها: Reading Comprehension Scaffolding shadowing

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Scaffolding and shadowing techniques have been shown to improve language learners’ reading comprehension. However, little attention has been paid to the comparative effectiveness of these techniques. This study investigated the effect of three selected scaffolding techniques (peer scaffolding, distributed scaffolding, and reciprocal scaffolding) versus three types of shadowing (complete shadowing, partial shadowing, and interactive shadowing) on L2 reading comprehension. To this end, 120 intermediate level EFL learners (in 6 groups of 20 members each) were selected through convenience sampling from three language institutes in Qazvin. Each group was randomly assigned to one of the shadowing and scaffolding techniques. One way ANOVA and independent samples t-tests were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that among the three scaffolding techniques, distributed scaffolding was the most effective technique on reading comprehension. The most effective technique among shadowing groups was interactive shadowing. A significant difference was also found between the shadowing and scaffolding techniques in favor of scaffolding techniques. These findings may have theoretical and pedagogical implications for researchers, learners, teachers, and syllabus designers.
۴۵.

The Effect of Prior Knowledge on the Contribution of Working Memory to L2 Reading Comprehension(مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)

نویسنده:
منبع: Iranian Journal of Applied Language Studies,Vol ۱۲, No. ۲, ۲۰۲۰ 29 - 58

کلیدواژه‌ها: L2 knowledge topic knowledge memory span Reading Comprehension working memory

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Working memory is believed to interact with a second language (L2) learning at the cognitive level. The present study sought to explore the impact of L2 readers’ prior knowledge on the contribution of working memory to reading comprehension. Eighty Iranian English learners were divided into two groups of high and low by their scores on L2 knowledge and the topic knowledge tests. Their working memory spans, and reading comprehension abilities were measured via a working memory test and a reading comprehension test respectively. The results indicated that working memory significantly predicted L2 reading comprehension only when the readers had sufficient topic knowledge. The results also show that the learners’ comprehension was mostly determined by their L2 linguistic knowledge, even when they had considerable working memory capacity. The findings imply that readers’ prior knowledge could moderate the contribution of working memory in L2 reading comprehension. A certain level of knowledge in the target language and on the topic is required for L2 readers to help working memory work more efficiently.
۴۶.

Effect of Offline Newly-Developed Task Cycle (NDTC) on Iranian Medical Students’ Reading Comprehension Performance(مقاله پژوهشی دانشگاه آزاد)

نویسنده:
منبع: international Journal of Foreign Language Teaching & Research, Volume ۹, Issue ۳۷, Autumn ۲۰۲۱ 195 - 203

کلیدواژه‌ها: Newly-Developed Task Cycle evaluation Reading Comprehension

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This study was conducted to explore the impact of integrating an evaluation cycle (Newly-developed Task Cycle) into Willis's task-based model on the improvement of Iranian medical students’ reading comprehension. In this quasi-treatment study, 60 medical students were selected through convenience sampling from Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran, and assigned to two groups of Willis and NDTC. The control group (Willis group) received the procedures of the task-based cycle proposed by Willis, and the treatment group (NTDC group) received the procedures of NDTC designed by the researchers of this study. Each group participated in 12 sessions with a focus on reading comprehension, which met twice a week for 90 minutes. Prior to starting the treatment, a pre-test was administered. Also, one week after the last session, a post-test was administered. The post-test scores were compared with pre-test scores in each group and finally with each other. The results obtained from the statistical analysis of the collected data revealed that while both frameworks were effective in improving the learners’ reading skills, NDTC had a greater impact in this respect. The findings of the study have beneficial implications for teachers, researchers, and educational managers, should NDTC be infiltrated into teaching methods. 
۴۷.

Lexical Inferencing Strategy Instruction and the Development of Reading Comprehension: The Case of Iranian EFL Learners(مقاله پژوهشی دانشگاه آزاد)

نویسنده:
منبع: The Journal of English Language Pedagogy and Practice, Vol.۱۳, No.۲۷, Fall & Winter ۲۰۲۰ 1 - 25

کلیدواژه‌ها: lexical inferencing strategy Reading Comprehension

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Lexical inferencing has been recognized as an effective learning strategy in SLA. The present study investigated Iranian EFL learners’ development of reading comprehension as a result of exposure to lexical inferencing strategy instruction. To do so, 45 female participants studying in Simin Language Institute in Rasht, Iran were selected from among 60 students based on the results of a sample of Oxford quick Placement (OQP) test, who scored from 40 to 47. They were in two intact classes, assigned to one experimental (n=24) and one control group (n=21). The experimental group underwent the teaching of reading comprehension through lexical inferencing strategy to help learners infer the meaning of unknown words and promote their understanding of the text. However, the control group received the traditional instruction of reading comprehension concentrating on the translation of new words. The results of the pre- and post-tests of reading comprehension revealed the significant outperformance of the treatment group over the control group’s reading comprehension ability. It was concluded that lexical inferencing strategy teaching could develop the learners’ potential to improve their cognitive capacities in inferring the meaning of unknown words, which might be facilitative in their reading comprehension.
۴۸.

The Comparative Effect of Collaborative Strategic Reading and Metacognitive Reading Strategies on Extrovert and Introvert EFL Learners’ Reading Comprehension(مقاله پژوهشی دانشگاه آزاد)

نویسنده:
منبع: The Journal of English Language Pedagogy and Practice, Vol.۱۳, No.۲۷, Fall & Winter ۲۰۲۰ 129 - 149

کلیدواژه‌ها: Reading Comprehension collaborative strategic reading Extroverts Introverts Metacognitive Reading Strategy

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This study investigated the comparative effect of collaborative strategic reading (CSR) and metacognitive reading strategy (MRS) on the reading comprehension of Iranian extrovert and introvert EFL learners. To achieve the purpose of this study, a sample IELTS was administered to 325 students studying at Marefat Language Academy in Tehran from whom 225 were selected based on their performance on that test. Next, the above students sat for Eysenck Personality Inventory questionnaire to determine their level of extroversion and introversion. As a result, a total of 150 learners (75 extroverts and 75 introverts) were selected as four experimental groups and two control groups. The four experimental groups, comprised of 1) 25 extroverts undergoing CSR, 2) 25 extroverts receiving MRS, 3) 25 introverts undergoing CSR, 4) 25 introverts undergoing MRS while the two control groups, with 25 extroverts and 25 introverts, the learners experienced the conventional procedure of teaching reading comprehension in the language school. Ancova and two-way Ancova were conducted which revealed introvert learners with MRS outperformed the extrovert with MRS, introvert and extrovert with CSR, and control groups, suggesting a decisive role for personality traits in reading comprehension classes with different reading strategies instruction. 
۴۹.

The role of Philosophy for Children (p4c) Teaching Approach for Improving the Reading Comprehension Skills of Guidance School Female Students(مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)

نویسنده:
منبع: Iranian journal of educational sociology, Vol ۱, Number ۱ (۲۰۱۶) 54-59

کلیدواژه‌ها: Philosophy for Children (p4c) Teaching Female Elementary Students Reading Comprehension

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Purpose: The aim of the current study was investigating the role of Philosophy for Children (p4c) teaching approach in increasing first grade female high school students reading comprehension in Tehran educational five zone. Materials and method: From all statistical population 60 students were selected through multi cluster sampling and were assigned to experimental (30) and control (30) groups randomly. Data collection was done through employing reading comprehensions section of preliminary English test (pet). Philosophy for Children (p4c) teaching approach were performed in 10 sessions, 90 minutes every session. The research method was semi-experimental including pretest- post-test with control group following a follow up stage. Analysis of covariance and t test were employed for data analysis. Findings: The results show that there was a significant difference between experimental and control group in post-test stage. T-test results found a significant relationship between (p4c) approaches and improved post-test scores. Discussion: It means that those students who received Philosophy for Children (p4c) teaching approach outperformed their peers in control group. So (p4c) approach can be considered as an effective method for improving students reading comprehension method.
۵۰.

Short-Block Instruction Versus Long-Block Instruction: Impact on Reading Motivation and Reading Attitude(مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)

نویسنده:
منبع: Iranian Journal of Learning and Memory, Volume ۳, Issue ۱۲, Winter ۲۰۲۱ 61 - 74

کلیدواژه‌ها: Short-block instruction Long-block instruction Reading Comprehension reading motivation reading attitude

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The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of 2 modes of instruction (Short-block versus Long-block) on Iranian EFL learners' reading motivation and reading attitude. For this study, 60 pre-intermediate level students who were studying in an English language institute in Ahvaz were selected. They took part in a homogeneity test (OQPT) to determine their homogeneity level. Then they were randomly divided into two groups, 30 learners each included, namely short-block instruction group and long-block instruction group. Then the two groups were given a reading motivation questionnaire and reading attitude survey as the pre-test before treatment to determine the participants’ reading motivation and reading attitude. During the eleven-session treatment, the long-block group was taught the reading comprehension in an intensive 75-minute session, while the short-block group was taught in three short sessions (twenty-five- minute session). After the treatment sessions, the participants were given a reading motivation questionnaire and reading attitude survey as a posttest. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and one-samples t-tests and the findings showed a significant difference between the groups. The short-block group outperformed the other groups in both reading motivation and reading attitude post-test. Implications of this study could be a hint for both EFL teachers and learners that teaching through short-block instruction is more effective than long-block instruction in teaching reading comprehension.
۵۱.

The Effect of Critical Thinking-Oriented Dynamic Assessment on Iranian EFL Learners' Learning Potential: A Study of Reading Comprehension Skill(مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)

نویسنده:
منبع: Teaching Language Skills (JTLS), Volume ۴۰, Issue ۲, Spring ۲۰۲۱ 193 - 227

کلیدواژه‌ها: Critical thinking dynamic assessment Learning Potential Score Mediation Reading Comprehension ZPD

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The present study is part of a Ph.D. program that explores the possible effect of critical thinking-oriented dynamic assessment (CT-DA) on learners' learning potential in reading comprehension skills. 21 Iranian language learners who were homogenized in terms of their language proficiency, reading comprehension, and critical thinking abilities participated in this study. Learners were divided into three groups of CT-DA, dynamic assessment (DA), and Control group. While learners in CT-DA received mediation loaded with critical thinking techniques, learners in DA group received dynamic assessment mediation, and learners in the Control group did not receive any mediation. The analysis of the results revealed that DA and CT-DA significantly improve learners' reading potential scores. Moreover, significant differences between the Learning Potential Score (LPS) of DA and CT-DA groups were found, denoting the better performance of participants who received a critical thinking-oriented dynamic assessment. Finally, the qualitative analyses led to the detection of eleven mediational strategies which nurtured the development of the reading comprehension ability of L2 learners during CT-DA. The article concludes with suggestions for further research on dynamic assessment and critical thinking in second/foreign language development.
۵۲.

A New Dilemma for Language Teachers and Students: Self-assessment or Teacher Assessment(مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)

نویسنده:
منبع: English Language Teaching and Learning. No. ۲۷, Spring & summer ۲۰۲۱ 35 - 57

کلیدواژه‌ها: Self-assessment teacher-assessment Reading Comprehension

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Transitioning smoothly from traditional learning of language to independent learning and consequently, moving from teacher-assessment to self-assessment faces teachers with a dilemma of deciding on learners’ final improvement. To assist to eliminate this dilemma and to compare learners’ self-assessment of reading comprehension skills with those of teacher assessment, the present study was set out. To this end, 190 B.S. Iranian engineering students were selected based on intact classes. The participants’ proficiency was determined by the Oxford Quick Placement Test. Prior to the instruction, the participants’ ability to use two reading skills, i.e. scanning and skimming was assessed by their instructor and by themselves through using a Likert Scale questionnaire. After instructing each skill, the participants received post-tests, both self-assessment and teacher assessment. Following the post-self-assessment, the participants answered an open-ended questionnaire to reflect on their assessment. To analyze the data and understand the differences and correlations between the two types of assessments, SPSS was performed. Intriguingly, the results from self- and teacher-assessment were pro-self-assessment. Besides, the outcomes of the open-ended questionnaire indicated that it is time to trust learners and allow them to assess their own learning and decide on their learning process.
۵۳.

The Role of Audio-visual Aids in General English Classes at Medical University: Reading Comprehension, Attitude, and Motivation(مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)

نویسنده:
منبع: English Language Teaching and Learning. No. ۲۷, Spring & summer ۲۰۲۱ 215 - 238

کلیدواژه‌ها: attitude audio-visual aids motivation multimedia based education Reading Comprehension

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The general consensus on the invaluable contributions of audio-visual materials based on cognitive theory of multimedia learning (CTML) to enhancing the quality of language classes has turned them into indispensable tools which teachers utilize for more effective teaching of different language skills. The primary aim of this study was to explore the effect of audio visual aids on reading skill at university level. The secondary aim was to find out if this change in materials could have any impact on the motivation and attitudes of the students toward English learning. To this end, this quasi-experimental study adopted a pre-test post-test research method. A total of 256 General English university students were divided to experimental (n=184) and control (n=81) groups. The experimental group received audio-visual aids as the treatment while the control group was taught by a conventional text-based method, commonly practiced in General English classes at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). The reading section of preliminary English test (PET) and Gardner’s attitude and motivation test battery (AMTB) were used for data collection. The results of independent samples t-test and Mann-Whitney tests revealed that the students provided with audio-visual materials obtained greater reading outcomes and also showed more positive attitudes and higher motivation toward English learning. Thus, our research revealed that the higher productivity and livelihood of reading classes can be tangible even in the in the narrow space of a single university semester.
۵۴.

Using Story Retelling to Improve Young Learners’ L2 Reading Comprehension(مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)

نویسنده:
منبع: جستارهای زبانی دوره دوزادهم مرداد و شهریور ۱۴۰۰ شماره ۳ (پیاپی ۶۳) ۲۵-۴۹

کلیدواژه‌ها: oral narration Reading Comprehension Second language acquisition story retelling Young Learners

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Contemporary literature in English language teaching shows some impacts of oral narrations on learners’ speaking competence and phonological processing. However, little research has explored the relationship between this methodological practice and young learners’ L2 reading comprehension. This paper investigates the effect which story retelling has on young English learners’comprehension of reading. The researchers employed quantitative and qualitative approaches. Forty children were chosen from two different classes of a comparable level of proficiency and assigned into two groups for a two-month treatment. The results show that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group on the reading comprehension posttest. The questionnaire and observation data also indicated that the children responded positively to story retelling and that story retelling brought about excitement in the reading class, motivated young learners to read as well as shaped young learners’ behaviours and attitudes. This study suggests using story retelling more often in L2 language programs for young learners.
۵۵.

Flipped Learning on Reading and Grammar Achievement at a Language Institute in Kerman-Iran (2021)(مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)

نویسنده:
منبع: Critical Literary Studies, Vol ۴, No ۱, Autumn and Winter ۲۰۲۱-۲۰۲۲ 183 - 199

کلیدواژه‌ها: EFL Learners Flipped Instruction Grammatical Knowledge Reading Comprehension

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This study seeks to explore the effectiveness of flipped instruction on the Iranian intermediate English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners reading comprehension and grammar learning. As the participants of the study, 60 Iranian intermediate EFL learners from a language institute in Kerman, Iran, were recruited based on convenience sampling in the form of two intact classes. Then, to conduct randomization, the two classes were randomly assigned to two groups namely, flipping group and control group. Next, the two groups were exposed to 14 treatment sessions in which reading comprehension and grammar were taught to the flipping group through explicit flipped instruction and to the control group through non-flipped mainstream instruction used in the institute. Data collection tools employed in the study included the Quick Placement Test (QPT), Michigan test of grammar, Michigan test of reading, and SPSS 21 software. The results revealed the significant effectiveness of flipped instruction on the Iranian intermediate EFL learners' reading comprehension and grammar learning. Accordingly, it is suggested that EFL teachers use flipped instruction if they seek to enhance EFL learners' reading comprehension and grammatical knowledge.
۵۶.

Impact of Interventionist Dynamic Assessment on Iranian EFL Learners’ L2 Reading Comprehension and Classroom Engagement(مقاله پژوهشی دانشگاه آزاد)

نویسنده:
منبع: international Journal of Foreign Language Teaching & Research, Volume ۹, Issue ۳۹, Winter ۲۰۲۱ 67 - 79

کلیدواژه‌ها: Interventionist Dynamic Assessment Reading Comprehension Classroom Engagement

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The current study investigated the impact of an interventionist model of dynamic assessment, using a repetitive process of pretest-teach-posttest design, on Iranian EFL learners’ reading comprehension and classroom engagement. To this end, 40 intermediate participants were selected through convenient sampling from among the English majors of a university in Kerman, Iran, and assigned to two control and experimental groups, each including 20 students. Then, during 4-month period, the experimental group was exposed to reading comprehension class, using an interventionist model of DA, while the control group did not receive ant dynamic assessment program. At the end of the treatment, the participants’ scores on the pretest and post-test were statistically compared. The obtained results revealed that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group on the scales of reading comprehension skill. A change was also observed in the classroom engagement of the experimental group, but not for the control group. Indeed, the results showed that dynamic assessment can boost participants' performance in a practical and effective way, not only in terms of reading performance but also in terms of motivating more classroom engagement among EFL learners. This finding has implications for teachers to design more efficient courses which are the ultimate goal of education.  
۵۷.

Text complexity of reading comprehension passages in the National Matriculation English Test in China: The development from 1996 to 2020

نویسنده:
منبع: International Journal of Language Testing, Volume ۱۱, Issue ۲, Summer and Autumn ۲۰۲۱ 142 - 167

کلیدواژه‌ها: corpus linguistics High Stakes Exam Natural Language Processing Reading Comprehension Text Complexity

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This study examined the development of text complexity for the past 25 years of reading comprehension passages in the National Matriculation English Test (NMET) in China. Text complexity of 206 reading passages at lexical, syntactic, and discourse levels has been measured longitudinally and compared across the years. The natural language processing tools used in the study included TAALES, TAALED, TAASSC, and TAACO. To compare the differences across the years at various levels of text complexity, ANOVA and MANOVA tests were conducted. The results suggested that lexical level text complexity revealed the most evident changes throughout the years, lexical sophistication, density, and diversity levels of the most recent years of reading passages have increased remarkably compared to the early years. The syntactic level text complexity indicated a moderate elevation toward the recent years of reading passages. For the discourse level text complexity, regarding cohesion, insignificant fluctuation occurred throughout the years and the general trend was not necessarily increasing. Combined, the results indicated that text complexity of the reading comprehension passages in the NMET over the past 25 years had been steadily increasing by including more low frequency and academic vocabulary, diversifying vocabulary in the passages, and complicating sentence and grammatical structures. The results were further examined against the general curriculum standards and guidelines to analyze whether the changes were reflected in the policies. It showed that the exams required a much larger vocabulary size than the number indicated in the guidelines, suggestions for test designers and pedagogical practices were provided accordingly.
۵۸.

Effect of Bias Tasks through Cooperative Learning on EFL Learners' Reading Comprehension Achievement: Gender in Focus(مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)

نویسنده:
منبع: iranian journal of educational sociology, Vol ۴, Number ۳ (۲۰۲۱) 204-219

کلیدواژه‌ها: Bias Tasks cooperative learning Gender Reading Comprehension Differentiated Instruction

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Purpose: An important facet in learning a language is expanding reading comprehension capability. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of implementation bias tasks through cooperative learning and gender on the reading comprehension process of Iranian intermediate EFL learners. Methodology: Two groups of 30 learners took part as a control group and an experimental group. Primarily the participants took The Preliminary English Test (PET) as a reading comprehension pretest. Then the experimental group instructed through the precepts of bias tasks in cooperative learning. However, the control group instructed through traditional instruction. Finally, the participants took the reading comprehension post-test. Findings: The result of two-way ANCOVA revealed that bias tasks through cooperative learning improved EFL learners' reading comprehension skills. Conclusion: Also, findings demonstrated that the means reading scores did not differ noticeably between male and female groups on both pretest and posttest. This task in cooperative learning can be utilized either in the classroom or in instructors' training.
۵۹.

Negotiated Syllabus and Undergraduate Students Reading Comprehension and Oral Production Ability: Teachers’ and Learners’ Perspectives(مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)

نویسنده:
منبع: Iranian Journal of Applied Language Studies,Vol ۱۳, No. ۲, ۲۰۲۱ 1 - 18

کلیدواژه‌ها: negotiated syllabus Reading Comprehension oral production learners perspectives

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تعداد بازدید : ۲۴۲ تعداد دانلود : ۲۰۸
The negotiated syllabus, also known as a learner-centered and process-oriented syllabus, was introduced as an alternative to a pre-determined syllabus a couple of decades ago. The review of the related studies shows the number of studies in the use of negotiated syllabus in English language teaching is scanty. This study aimed at delving into the impacts of the negotiated syllabus on undergraduate students’ reading comprehension, oral production, and the participants’ perspectives about the syllabus. A mixed-methods research design was employed. Data were collected through researcher-developed tests and an interview checklist. The quantitative section analyzed through independent samples-tests (p=0.05) verified that the negotiated syllabus had a significant effect on the experimental mean scores regarding reading comprehension and oral ability production. In addition, results of the qualitative phase indicated that the use of negotiated syllabus, despite some learner, teacher, and institute-related constraints, has some pedagogical advantages. In light of the results, teachers are recommended to minimize the limitations and implement the negotiated syllabus in teaching English programs to optimize the language learners’ motivation and language achievement.  
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Effects of a Personalized Reading Software Program on the Development of Language Learners’ Reading Comprehension

نویسنده:
منبع: Iranian Distance Education, Volume ۳, Issue ۱, Winter & Spring ۲۰۲۱ 9-22

کلیدواژه‌ها: personalized software language Learners Reading Comprehension

حوزه‌های تخصصی:
تعداد بازدید : ۲۵۷ تعداد دانلود : ۱۶۶
The current study explored the effects of a personalized reading software program designed based on language learners’ learning style on the development of their reading comprehension. Forty Iranian K-9 students were selected through convenience sampling and were assigned into control (n=20) and experimental (n=20) groups. Both groups’ entry level of English reading proficiency was assessed by reading paper of Cambridge A2 Key exam. Reading was taught to both groups for 10 sessions using a researcher-developed software program. The experimental group used the reading software designed based on users’ cognitive profile (visual, auditory and kinesthetic) with customized instructional scenarios. The control group used a version of the same software that did not include any user-tailored teaching materials. Both groups took part in reading paper of A2 Key again at the end of the experiment. The data were analyzed using One-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The results revealed a significant difference between participants’ reading comprehension at the end of the experiment in favor of the experimental group. The finding highlighted the role of learners’ diversity in the success of computer-assisted learning environments, and has certain implications for software developers and language pedagogues.