teacher education

Teacher professional development plays a critical role in enhancing educational outcomes, with Teacher Training Courses (TTCs) serving as a primary avenue for improving teaching quality. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an English TTC conducted at the Iran Language Institute (ILI) by employing a concurrent mixed-methods approach. Data were gathered from TTC candidates, attendees, and ILI teachers to assess their expectations, immediate evaluation, and delayed evaluation of the TTC. Seven interviews with TTC candidates were conducted to capture expectations, while 69 questionnaires from attendees and 85 from ILI teachers provided immediate and delayed evaluations respectively. Both interviews and questionnaires were structured around the five standards of the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP), and the data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. The findings indicate that candidates expected the TTC to focus on modern teaching techniques, syllabus design, classroom management, and supporting diverse learners. Besides, satisfaction levels were higher among female teachers and TTC attendees compared to male teachers and ILI teachers respectively. All in all, areas such as supporting diverse learners and professional development emerged with the lowest levels of satisfaction. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring TTCs to address specific needs, particularly in areas where satisfaction levels are suboptimal, to ensure the continued improvement of teaching quality and student outcomes.

The tripartite V3SK model, integrating values, skills, and knowledge, has been explored in various educational contexts but remains underutilized in English language teaching. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the V3SK model on Iranian high school students’ grammar achievement using an explanatory mixed-methods design. Participants included 43 high school teachers and 452 pre-intermediate level students, selected based on standardized placement tests. Teachers were randomly divided into groups of experimental (N = 22) and control (N = 21). The experimental group participated in 15 training sessions focused on the V3SK model dimensions. Subsequently, students from both groups completed a researcher-designed grammar pretest and received 20 sessions of instruction over three months, followed by a posttest. Quantitative data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U tests, revealing significantly higher grammar achievement in the experimental group. Qualitative thematic analysis of interviews with 15 experimental group teachers identified 11 themes that explain the model's contributions, including enhanced motivation, innovative teaching, and differentiated instruction. These findings underscore the V3SK model's potential for improving grammar instruction in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) settings, offering valuable insights for teacher education and curriculum development.

Based on Shulman's (1986) concept of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) emerged and became a helpful framework for comprehending the objectives of using technology in pre-service teacher training programs. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate Iranian pre-service EFL teachers’ (PSEFLTs) perceptions towards their TPACK regarding their gender and academic year of study. To this aim, 254 Iranian PSEFLTs across various academic years of study filled out a 39-item EFL TPACK questionnaire developed by Baser et al. (2016). The questionnaire included seven categories: Content Knowledge (CK), Pedagogical Knowledge (PK), Technology Knowledge (TK), PCK, Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK), Technological Content Knowledge (TCK), and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK). Based on the collected data, which were subjected to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and post-hoc analysis, it was found that PSEFLTs generally held mildly favorable perceptions towards their TPACK. Notably, the lowest mean score was observed for the TK component, while the component with the highest mean score was the CK component. In terms of the gender effect, statistically significant differences were found in the TK and TPCK dimensions, where males outscored females in both TK and TPCK and females outscored males in CK. Furthermore, an examination of the relationship between participants' TPACK and their academic years of study manifested a statistically significant difference primarily between freshmen and seniors. The results are expected to encourage curriculum planners to develop PSEFLTs’ training programs by integrating technology courses into the ELT curriculum.

Keeping pace with the continuous changes and innovations in the field of English language teaching is considered to be a necessity for the quality of teachers' teaching. There are numerous approaches to teacher development, among which self-initiated development stands as one of the noticeable trends. Although teacher development is crucial for the quality of education, it appears that there are not many studies on self-development of English language teachers in Iran. There are studies mostly concentrating on the evaluation of pre- or in-service programs in English language teaching. Addressing this call, the main purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of 48 in-service English language teachers towards their professional development. The data collection instrument used was a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of both open-ended and close-ended items. Employing descriptive statistics, the data was analyzed. The results indicated that the teachers agreed with most of the concepts that indicate the importance of professional development. Moreover, they were aware of the importance of major professional development activities for their development. Yet, peer observation and action research were not preferred as much as the other activities.

Incorporating technology into the process of writing in an EFL setting can aid educators to create an engaging learning environment and learners to explore various strategies of developing their writing skills. This study was set up to investigate the experiences of 28 pre-service EFL teachers in an MS Word integrated writing course at Farhangian University. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews administered upon completing the course, and triangulated via focused group discussions moderated by an expert in academic writing. Content analysis of the interviews revealed that students expressed favoring an MS Word integrated approach with regard to writing skills improvement (through features such as spell check, grammar suggestions, thesaurus tools, etc.) as well as utilizing feedback mechanisms in the Review menu (via track changes feature and editing facilities, proofing, and comments), and the References menu (via Manage sources and Insert citation features). Participants also expressed preferring the on-screen editing activities performed in the classroom compared with their previously held conventional writing sessions. Implications regarding how MS Word can be incorporated into teacher education curricula to improve both their academic writing skills and teaching writing through technology-based instruction are discussed.

This study aimed to explore the challenges faced by pre-service teachers in Iran in noticing and responding to student thought processes during English language instruction, as well as the strategies they employed to engage with student thinking. Utilizing grounded theory and qualitative analysis, the research sought to provide a deeper understanding of these challenges and strategies to inform teacher education practices. The findings revealed significant difficulties in recognizing diverse student thinking and managing classroom dynamics. To address these challenges, pre-service teachers adopted strategies such as open-ended questions and group discussions, which fostered deeper understanding, clarified students' ideas, and promoted a more interactive learning environment. The results highlighted the urgent need for teacher education programs in Iran to develop skills that enhance the ability to respond to students' thinking. Specifically, programs should focus on competencies such as pedagogical competence, cognitive skills, interpersonal communication, reflective practice, technological proficiency, and entrepreneurial competencies. By strengthening these competencies, pre-service teachers can improve their English instruction and effectiveness. Educational programs could benefit from integrating practical experiences like micro-teaching sessions and workshops on effective questioning techniques. This approach will better prepare future educators to navigate student engagement, leading to more effective teaching practices in Iran’s educational landscape.

 book series of “Persian Prime” (2024) via an analytic study based on the series’ action-oriented approach and the grammar, vocabulary and function selection within its A1 and A2 levels, from the Persian Reference Framework (PRF). The numerical research results illustrate that among 73 grammatical domains determined in PRF corresponding to the elementary level, 26 grammar points have been taught directly in A1 and A2 level textbooks, while others are used indirectly within their texts and activities. Among 131 vocabulary domains in PRF in A level, 30 domains have been selected and taught directly within the vocabulary sections, and 70 have are presented in different parts of the lessons. Moreover, among 53 functions correspond to this level, 12 functions are taught directly, in the interaction part and other sub-functions are taught in form of dialogue, listening, writing and speaking exercises in them

Few studies have explored how English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) preservice teachers can do collaborative reflective practice (CRP) to enhance their knowledge and skills, using artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The main purpose of this study, adopting a basic interpretive qualitative design, is to investigate how CRP can be implemented with ChatGPT to develop preservice EFL teachers professionally. After selecting the participants through a purposive sampling procedure and exploring the perspectives of eight preservice EFL teachers and two teacher educators through narratives, interviews, observations, and group discussions, the data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The results of data analysis showed that employing CRP implemented in ChatGPT has the potential to provide several benefits, including the ability to contemplate new experiences, connect theory and practice, acquire knowledge and expertise, become critical and autonomous, embrace challenges and opportunities, improve professionally, socially, and emotionally, regulate emotions and thoughts, and foster creativity. Furthermore, the use of ChatGPT in CRP can function as a virtual mentor and collaborator to engage with preservice teachers, find problems and resolve issues, and enhance professional growth. The findings of the present study may carry implications for teacher educators and policy makers to enhance social and reflective practices as they integrate AI into teacher education programs to enhance preservice teachers’ cognitive and social functioning.

This study aimed to explore Iranian teachers’ cognition of L1 use in L2 teaching as a component of classroom management, in EFL classes at private language schools in Iran. The study comprised 12 in-service teachers, and the sample size was decided based upon data saturation. The instrument employed in this research was a semi-structured interview, designed to elicit the participating teachers’ cognition. The interviews were audio-recorded and were subsequently transcribed. Thematic analysis of the data demonstrated that the teachers believed the extent and frequency of L1 use should be balanced based on the objectives of L2 lessons, so that classes could be smoothly managed and learners could be sufficiently exposed to L2. Besides, the participants held that for effective classroom management, teachers should use L1 judiciously and selectively. In addition, they accentuated the significance of attention to learners’ English language proficiency level, psychological factors, and educational needs in this respect. Moreover, they were aware of the potential role of L1 use with regard to classroom management strategies, such as establishing rapport, maintaining discipline, and managing time. Overall, the participants were cognizant of using L1 in L2 teaching as a classroom management component. This inquiry provides implications for supervisors of language schools, language teachers, and language teacher educators.

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.