life syllabus

Underlying the recently developed notions of applied ELT and life syllabus is the idea that language classes should give precedence to learners’ life qualities, for instance emotional intelligence (EI), over and above their language skills. By so doing, ELT is ascribed an autonomous status and ELT classes can lavish their full potentials to the learners. With that in mind, this study aimed to design and validate a scale for appraising the current English language learning textbooks with respect to EI competencies. Having used several psychological models of EI, the authors developed a 44-item scale. The scale was then disseminated to in-service EFL teachers at non-profit language institutes in Iran. Rasch rating scale model was utilized to substantiate the construct validity of the scale. Three items, two representing impulse control and one pertaining to adaptability, misfitted the model, requiring to be pruned. The results also showed that the 6-point Likert scale functioned effectively. The scale is therefore a unidimensional and valid instrument with considerable implications for language teachers, syllabus designers, and materials developers.

Purpose: This research was done to investigate the effect of life syllabus and web-based language learning on the vocabulary improvement of the participants of the study and to seek the attitudes of the learners on the use of web-based approach in language class based on life syllabus. Methodology: Michigan test (version1997) was presented and students were divided into one experimental group who learned their course vocabularies making use of free vocabulary learning sites of IELTS English language learning site every day for 8 weeks based on life issues and one control group who received ordinary classroom instructions each session. Findings: The result appeared to manifest that learners’ perception improved by incorporating web based instruction in language learning classroom based on life syllabus. The findings indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control groups with regard to their vocabulary knowledge. Web-based language teaching instruction enhanced EFL learners' vocabulary knowledge. As Life Syllabus proved to be useful with Iranian EFL learners, EFL teachers also can adopt the technique in their classes to advance their students' language learning and improve their memory.