This study investigated the effectiveness of explicit, incidental, and intentional learning conditions on vocabulary acquisition and reading comprehension in a multimedia environment. A total of 99 ...university learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) were asked to read computer-based reading texts including text-picture-audio glosses of the target lexical items. In the explicit learning condition, learners received explicit instruction about the target lexical items before reading (EIG). In the intentional condition, learners were instructed to check the multimedia glosses while reading the texts (+IG) whereas in the incidental condition, they did not receive such instruction (-IG). Reading comprehension was measured through multiple-choice and written recall tests and vocabulary acquisition was measured through the vocabulary knowledge scale (VKS) and word recognition test (WRT). The results indicated that there were vocabulary gains for all the groups regardless of the learning conditions. While the EIG and +IG achieved a similar VKS performance, the EIG made greater gains of target vocabulary in the WRT. In addition, EIG was the only condition to maintain a long-term knowledge of the learned words. For reading comprehension, results varied according to the tests, with the +IG faring better in multiple-choice test and EIG achieving a higher written recall.
This study examined the effects of three task conditions on young EFL learners’ oral performance of a picture prompted task and their grammatical knowledge gain. To this end, 34 EFL learners were ...randomly assigned into three experimental groups, namely online planning, pre-planning, and explicit instruction, and one control group. Pictures were employed as prompts to implement the tasks in all groups. A Grammatical Judgment Test was used to compare students’ knowledge of simple present passive structure before and after the treatment. Learners’ oral task performance was measured in terms of Complexity, Accuracy, and Fluency (CAF). The findings demonstrated significant differences among groups as for CAF measures. However, no significant differences were spotted in GJT posttest scores. The paper calls for the incorporation of diverse prompt-based planning conditions in task-oriented teaching practices in order to target learners' higher levels of oral competence.
This study investigated the impact of pranayamic breathing (PB) as a positive psychology exercise on mitigating foreign language anxiety (FLLA) and test anxiety (TA) of undergraduate English students ...studying at a Turkish university. Additionally, the study examined the effects of PB on academic achievement in listening and reading comprehension skills of the participants as well as exploring learners’ and their instructor’s perceptions of using PB techniques in their classrooms. The sample consisted of 140 sophomore English language learners. Two intact classes, each comprising 70 participants, were selected as the experimental and the control group using convenience sampling. Two basic PB techniques, Nadi Shodhana Pranayama and Bhramari Pranayama, were implemented to the experimental group on a weekly basis for a total of 7 weeks. In this mixed-method study, the quantitative data were gathered using English Language Learning Anxiety Scale, Foreign Language Test Anxiety Scale, and listening and reading achievement pre- and post-tests, while the qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews, and the teacher’s reflective journal. The findings revealed that the implementation of positive psychology technique of pranayama breathing mitigated the FLLA and TA levels significantly and also improved listening and reading comprehension skills of the participants to a considerable extent. The findings also demonstrated that both the students and their instructor perceived PB implementation as a useful and a practical medium in alleviating the anxious feelings, promoting the general class atmosphere and regulating daily habits despite the implementational challenges shared by the instructor.
The impact of the non-native speaker's (NNS) language proficiency on their personal teaching performance has often been an issue in TESOL teacher education programmes. To explore this issue a study ...was conducted to investigate the link between language teachers' language proficiency and their teaching effectiveness. Classes taught by eight NNS teachers teaching the same or similar content were observed. Teaching effectiveness and teacher language proficiency were measured both through self-ratings and by independent raters. Teachers were compared in terms of such criteria as the quantity and quality of input provided, the amount and accuracy of metalanguage used, the extent and quality of feedback offered as well as classroom management skills. The results suggest that while language proficiency contributes to teaching effectiveness, other aspects of teaching are unrelated to a teacher's command of their second language (L2). Author abstract
Recent research has identified many factors influencing language teachers' motivation (e.g., vision, immunity, learners' achievement, teachers' self, job satisfaction, social relationship). Language ...teachers' immunity is a relatively novel concept and there has been little research to address its connection with motivation. Therefore, the present mixed methods study was set out with the purpose of examining the possible relationship between EFL teachers' motivation and their immunity in two different contexts (public vs. private). To this end, a three-section questionnaire was distributed electronically among Iranian EFL teachers in the two contexts (N = 157) to elicit quantitative data on the possible relationship between immunity and motivation. As for qualitative phase of the study, seven EFL teachers from each context (N = 14) were interviewed, using an interview protocol to find the disturbing and motivational factors among teachers in the path of immunity formation. The results of Pearson Product Moment Correlation indicated a small (r = 0.21) positive relationship between immunity and motivation. Triggering disturbances of language teacher immunity and coupling strategies related to them as well as teachers' motivational factors elicited through interviews are discussed in the paper.
The pivotal responsibility of educating and nurturing students in any society is on the shoulders of teachers, whose knowledge, affection, and commitment exert a great influence over students' lives. ...Therefore, attending to teachers' emotional state and satisfaction with their profession is crucial. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate the relationship between Iranian English and nonEnglish teachers' job satisfaction and their teaching effectiveness. The relationship between these teachers' job satisfaction and their demographic background (e.g. teaching experience and gender) was also scrutinized. Using convenient sampling, 173 English and nonEnglish teachers were selected to participate in this research. In order to collect data, Kulsum (2000) Teacher Effectiveness Scale and Lester's (1987) Teacher Job Satisfaction questionnaire were used. The results revealed a positive correlation between teachers' job satisfaction and teaching effectiveness and this held true for both English and nonEnglish teachers. For policy makers and stakeholders in education, this study underlines the significance of addressing teachers' needs and their challenges to promote their job satisfaction.
English teachers, Job satisfaction, nonEnglish teachers, teaching effectiveness
Professional development of language teachers is one major measure to ensure that teachers remain updated and avoid the risk or leaving the profession. Not all teachers, however, attend professional ...development (PD) workshops or engage in such activities for the sake of developing professionally. Some teachers attend PD courses on a routine basis with little knowledge of what competencies they are expected to gain as a result, and simply because taking part in such programmes is an institutional requirement. To explore the type of PD activities English teachers in Iran participate in and also to understand the motivations behind their participation, the researchers interviewed 24 English teachers (with the age range of 24–50) working at private language institutes and public high schools. The study found that public school teachers were engaged in very few PD activities, and the type of PD activities private teachers followed ranged from consulting online courses to watching educational videos to reading ELT textbooks. The motivations for taking part in PD activities ranged from ‘having no motivation’ to ‘promoting my English’ to ‘being able to teach at university’. Further results and implications for teacher education in Iran and beyond are discussed in the paper.
professional development; teacher education; English teachers; teacher motivation; in-service training
Recent research has identified a direct link between language teachers’ self and motivation, and their relationship with conceptual change and professional development. A better understanding of the ...exact manner in which language teachers’ perceptions of self interact with their motivation, however, requires further empirical evidence from a variety of contexts employing various research methods. Drawing upon possible selves theory and Activity Theory, the present mixed-methods research explored language teacher vision and its relationship with motivation in the Iranian state sector language education context. In the first qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 teachers on their vision and motivation to teach English. In the second quantitative phase, a researcher-developed questionnaire informed by the interview data was electronically administered to in-service language teachers (N = 211). Data analysis identified a typology of English language teacher vision and a positive relationship (r = .59) between vision and motivation. A coefficient determination of around 35% showed the degree of covariance between the two constructs. Furthermore, the study indicated that some contradictions among the rules, tools, community, and division-of-labour components of language teacher motivation activity system mediated the motivational force of vision. The study implies that teacher education programmes should raise English language teachers’ awareness of the positive motivational force of vision.
This study aimed to investigate the washback effect of two high stakes tests, a global language proficiency test (i.e., TOEFL iBT) and a local English Proficiency Exam (developed and administered by ...a state university) on students' motivation and their autonomy. The study also examined whether proficiency level moderated the potential washback effect among the two groups of test takers. Additionally, the study tried to find out the language leaning strategies used by both groups and explore the reasons behind their preferences. The study was conducted with two English language preparatory programs offered at a state university in Turkey: University Preparatory Program (UPP) and Dual Degree Program (DDP). At the end of the UPP program, the students are required to take the university's proficiency test while as for the UPP, they need to take a valid TOEFL iBT. Data were collected from 152 preparatory students (N = 65 for DDP; N = 87 for UPP) whose proficiency levels were based on the CEFR Framework ranging from A2 (upper elementary) to B1 (pre-intermediate) to B2 (intermediate). In addition to the above proficiency tests, data were gathered via motivation questionnaire, autonomous learning scale and student interviews. The results revealed no washback of TOEFL iBT exam on students' motivation regardless of their proficiency level. No washback was also observed on students' autonomy except for A2 level DDP students who had higher level of autonomy than the A2 level UPP students. Finally, the two groups used more similar than different language learning strategies while practicing the four language skills. The findings afford pedagogical implications for the use of high-stakes tests in English preparatory programs.
Washback; High-stakes tests; TOEFL-iBT; English proficiency exam; Motivation; Autonomy, language learning strategies; Language testing.
: Corrective Feedback (CF) provision on performance involves calling attention to learners' erroneous utterances, which stimulates classroom language learning. Despite widespread research in this ...area, a controversy still exists as to the time of CF in communicative tasks especially when learners' task engagement is targeted. Employing 60 intermediate-level Iranian learners, a four-week study examined the effects of immediate versus delayed CF types on oral engagement, grammar gain as well as on Complexity, Accuracy and Fluency (CAF) in the context of a dictogloss task. The statistical analysis showed that despite statistically significant improvements in the case of Grammaticality Judgement Test (GJT) from the pre-test to the post-test, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups with regard to their grammar gain, complexity, accuracy, fluency, as well as on their social and cognitive engagement. However, results in the case of behavioral and emotional engagement revealed that there were statistically significant differences between the two groups of immediate and delayed CFs. The findings of the present study call for more flexibility and confidence on the part of the teachers in providing either immediate or delayed CF whenever appropriate and without being concerned about the adverse effects of feedback
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