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Showing 8 results for Language Learning
Shiva Kaivanpanah, Zahra Ghasemi,
Volume 14, Issue 2 (9-2011)
Abstract
This study investigated the main sources of Iranian students' demotivation in L2 learning and examined demotivation in relation to students' gender and level of education. To find the major demotivating factors, a questionnaire consisting of 32 items was developed and completed by 327 students. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to explore the factorial structure of the questionnaire. Based on the results, five categories of demotivating factors were identified: Learning Contents, Materials, and Facilities, Attitude towards English Speaking Community, The Teacher, Experience of Failure, and Attitude towards Second Language Learning. To examine demotivating factors in relation to students' gender and educational level, two one-way analyses of variance were run. The results indicated significant differences between male and female students in terms of three demotivating factors. Significant differences were observed between students at different levels of education with regard to the three demotivating factors. Finally, a multivariate analysis of variance was performed to examine demotivating factors in relation to students' gender and educational level. Significant differences were found between male and female students across educational levels in terms of all demotivating factors except one.
Reza Pishghadam, Gholam Hassan Khajavy,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (3-2013)
Abstract
The major aim of the study was to determine the roles of psychological and sociological factors in general and social/cultural capital and cognitive/metacognitive aspects in particular in English language learning. To this end, 143 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners were asked to take an IQ test, a metacognitive questionnaire along with a social and cultural capital scale. Structure Equation Modeling (SEM) was utilized to analyze the data. The results demonstrated that both psychological and sociological factors contribute to foreign language achievement, however social and cultural capital was found to be more influential in English language learning. In the end, the results were discussed in the context of English language learning and some suggestions were made.
Soroor Ashtarian, Saman Ebadi, Nourodin Yousofi,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (9-2018)
Abstract
| This study aimed to investigate the application of Group Dynamic Assessment (GDA) to writing accuracy of EFL learners and explore whether secondary interactants could benefit from interactions between mediator and primary interactants. The idea of implementing DA (Dynamic Assessment) in dyads seems unworkable since teachers are required to teach the whole class (Guk & Kellog, 2007). Moreover, Lantolf and Poehner (2004) suggest a new approach to DA that is GDA, which involves applying DA with a large number of learners rather than individuals. Following a multiple case study design and interactionist DA, the development of ten students in a class of twenty five was tracked during the eight sessions of DA program. Data were collected though written artifacts, video-recording of interactions, interview, and observation. The results indicated that GDA was an effective way of helping learners overcome their linguistic problems and there were signs of microgenetic as well as macrogenetic development within the same DA session and across sessions. The present findings provide further insight into understanding how secondary interactants benefit from the interactions between mediator and primary interactants. |
Saeed Nourzadeh, Jalil Fathi, Majid Soltani Moghaddam,
Volume 23, Issue 1 (3-2020)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to provide evidence on the construct validity of the ‘What is Happening in this Class’ (WIHIC) questionnaire in the context of teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) in Iran. The field of language teaching has made a number of claims about the role of language learning environments (particularly the classroom) in L2 acquisition and use, but it does not provide teachers and researchers with reliable and valid instruments to assess the accuracy of these claims. To serve the purpose of the study, a sample of 607 Iranian EFL learners from both university and institute contexts was requested to complete the WIHIC questionnaire, and the obtained data were then submitted to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis for construct validation. The results indicated that the deletion of one dimension and several items from the original WIHIC questionnaire enhanced its psychometric properties, thus confirming the validity of the questionnaire with six factors. In addition, the psychometric properties of the validated questionnaire were found to be invariant across the teaching context (i.e., university versus institute contexts). The implications of these findings for research on language learning environments are discussed, and some suggestions are made for further validation studies.
Fahimeh Hokmabadi , Omid Mazandarani, Behzad Ghonsooly, Ghasem Barani,
Volume 25, Issue 2 (9-2022)
Abstract
Despite the fact that there exists a considerable amount of literature on pedagogically-oriented stylistics, a significant number of the often-cited articles turns out to be based on trust and intuition. This is what has been accentuated by prominent figures as Hall (2007), Carter (2007, 2010), Zyngier and Fialho (2010), among others, while calling for more robust empirically-based studies. The present study is undertaken to review 13 studies published from 2015 to 2022. In doing so, an adaptation of a coding framework was employed to serve as guideline for this review study. In this vein, three overarching themes were detected: 1) stylistics as accessible toolkit for teacher training, 2) stylistics' significance in curriculum and syllabus development and 3) stylistics as an opportunity for cooperation between higher education and language teachers. By detecting these emergent themes some uncharted areas of stylistics-inspired pedagogies as well as some rectified issues were revealed. Despite this, there still remains the issue of underreporting which is indeed undermining to the credibility of pedagogical stylistics. Thus, a set of recommendations were accordingly provided for further advancement in studies concerning pedagogical stylistics.
Zahra Naderifarjad, Nourodin Yousofi,
Volume 25, Issue 2 (9-2022)
Abstract
An intervention study was conducted to investigate whether individuals with Down syndrome would benefit from teaching alphabetic skill and single word reading in foreign /second language despite their phonological, cognitive, memory, and intellectual disabilities. This study is a part of a longitudinal case study focusing on developing a program for reading English done at three stages which comprised teaching English alphabet, vocabulary, and reading. The study focused on a Persian speaking girl with Down syndrome who demonstrated phonological deficit prior to intervention. Data were collected by video recording, documentation, and keeping diaries. Assessments of progress were made at the beginning of a new session following the last teaching session and maintenance of gains was held three months after the last teaching session. The result showed significant gains in reading monosyllabic words. The findings demonstrated that Down syndrome individuals can learn basic reading skill in second / foreign language using "combined approach of phonics and reading" along with multisensory language learning approach (MSL).
Gholamhossein Shahini, Mohammad Hakani,
Volume 26, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
Given the link between parental involvement and children’s academic outcomes, the current research set out to redress the imbalance created by the almost nonexistence of research evidence on the impacts of simultaneous presence of mothers beside their children in an EFL class. To this end, following a mixed-method approach (a quasi-experimental design and semi-structured interviews), 35 starter-level female children, aged 4-6, selected via convenience sampling were randomly assigned into an experimental group (N=18) in which mothers attended the class with their children, and a control group (N= 17) in which mothers did not. Findings unraveled that mothers’ in-class presence enhanced children’s English language vocabulary, increased their class attendance, provided a feeling of affection and safety to help them relax and get motivated, caused their in-class behaviors to be closely monitored, and created rapport and solidarity between home and school. Mothers’ in-class presence also provided a unique opportunity for mothers to co-teach with the teacher the new vocabularies to their children. The findings also suggested that teaching English to mothers prior to their children’s course of instruction assisted them in scaffolding their children in classes. The implication is that as a result of their ongoing in-class presence, mothers may become more vigilant influential agents in educational meetings and school board decision-makings. Also, stakeholders need to be encouraged to devise plans allowing them to harness more efficiently the positive impacts of mothers’ in-class presence and provoke parents’ active participation in classrooms.
Kobra Tavassoli, Marjan Oskouiefar, Masoumeh Ghamoushi,
Volume 26, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the impact of mobile-assisted learning-oriented assessment (LOA) on the writing ability of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. A total of 60 intermediate Iranian EFL learners were selected through convenience sampling and divided randomly into two groups: control and experimental. Both groups completed pretests and posttests, and the experimental group received nine 90-minute sessions focused on teaching descriptive essay writing using LOA syllabi and mobile applications related to the tasks. The control group followed a traditional writing syllabus without any LOA-related treatments. Both groups used the Adobe Connect mobile application for their online classes. Two open-ended questions were administered to the experimental group at the beginning and end of the course to measure their attitudes toward mobile-assisted language learning (MALL). The data were analyzed using a repeated-measures two-way ANOVA, revealing that mobile-assisted LOA significantly improved the EFL learners’ writing ability. The results of the two open-ended questions indicated that the learners had a positive attitude toward MALL in general but a somewhat negative attitude toward online classes. The findings have important implications for teachers, materials developers, and teacher educators.
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