Journal of Modern Research in English Language Studies
Volume:11 Issue: 1, Winter 2024

Despite all efforts rationalized around the significance of grammar instruction, it remains a contentious issue in the fields of second and foreign language teaching. Grammar teaching requires the design of both implicit and explicit approaches. One of the main features of grammar is English passive voice which is, for various reasons, a difficult subpart of grammar for Iranian EFL learners. This quasi-experimental study was intended to comparatively and empirically investigate the effects and probable differences of Traditional Explicit Instruction (TEI), Implicit Input Enhancement (IIE), and Guided Discovery Method (GDM) on comprehension of passive voice among Iranian EFL learners. To serve the purpose, 70 students from Payam-Nour University of Tabriz were selected and divided into three groups including TEI (N= 23), IIE (N= 25), and GDM (N= 22). The participants were exposed to three different treatments and the pre-test and post-test were used to extract information on the learners’ comprehension. The results of one-way ANCOVA showed that all three teaching approaches had positive effects on the comprehension of passive voice. Meanwhile, the GDM could lead to a better and more efficient contribution compared to the two other instructional techniques. Finally, some pedagogical implications have been presented for EFL teachers, students, and syllabus designers.

Developing Techniques to Improve L2 Learning Motivation and Willingness to Communicate through Utilizing Johari Window Model in Foreign Language ContextsAbstractThis study deciphered whether increasing learners’ L2 self-awareness using ‘Johari Window Model’ (JWM) as a self-regulatory model ended in higher levels of motivation and WTC. It also argued that learners’ L2 Possible Selves, through guided imagery and vision-building treatments, promote their L2 motivation and Willingness to Communicate (WTC) in the Iranian English language learning environment. Fifty-eight L2 learners, homogenized at the intermediate level, from both genders and with an average age of 22, were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. They were Persian-speaking university students majoring in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and Translation Studies (TS). Researchers initially established different arenas of JWM for each L2 learner based on their answers to the pretest, L2 Possible selves, and WTC questionnaires and using their narrative writings on pre-planned scenarios. In 12 weeks-intervention and via semi-scripted interviews, researchers utilized guided visualization to train learners to use their L2 self-awareness via JWM protocols to increase their L2MSS and WTC. Two questionnaires were re-administered after the intervention as a post-test to see the significant effects of treatment. Findings of descriptive statistics revealed that the treatment had significant positive impacts on L2 learners’ ideal self, learning experience, self-awareness, and WTC, but not on ought-to self. The implications show avenues for studies on L2 learners’ self-awareness and motivation and suggest the uses of JWM as a guideline in teacher training courses.Keywords: Johari Window Model, L2 motivational Self-system, L2 self-awareness, vision, Willingness to Communicate

Abstract Technological innovation creates new opportunities for teachers to practice new method of language teaching. During the last twenty years, increasing attention has been devoted to the notion of technology and education .Innovative teachers try to find different new methods for language teaching to improve their quality of teaching. Having sufficient information about the level of teachers' technological innovation is an effective predicator of language learners’ achievements. Therefore, current research sought to assess Iranian English language teachers’ level of technological innovation. The main data were collected from 375 EFL teachers compromising 125 university teachers, 125 high school teachers and 125 institute teachers through a predesigned and validated questionnaire and interview. The results from the MANOVA indicated no significant differences between the high school, language institute and university EFL teachers’ overall means on technological innovation. Findings also revealed that most of the teachers are almost at the same level and have some information about technological innovations and try to apply them in their process of teaching in the classroom. The findings could provide implications for EFL materials developers, policy makers, teachers, and syllabus designers.Keywords: Computer - based Technology, Mobile- based Technology, Multimedia, Technological Innovation, Web- based Technology© xxxx Imam Khomeini International University. All rights reserved.

Critical English for academic purposes (CEAP) has been an attempt to challenge the status quo in English for academic purposes (EAP) education. However, it has not received due attention in the literature. For the same reason, this study concentrated on how the Iranian EAP teachers and students perceived the three key CEAP modules of needs/right analysis, power, and dialogue/hope. As its secondary aim, this study also focused on how much the instructor practiced what they perceived of CEAP in their classrooms. For gathering the quantitative data, the main components of the CEAP framework formed the basis for the preparation and validation of a Likert-type questionnaire to measure the respondents’ perceptions of CEAP. In order to complement the results of the questionnaire data on the perception of CEAP, a semi-structured interview protocol was developed. The results for the first research question showed that both participating groups' opinions of CEAP were quite similar. The discrepancy between teachers’ questionnaire and interview data demonstrated that a praxis breakdown occurred as a result of an imbalance between the EAP teachers' knowledge and practice of CEAP in their classroom. Additionally, the qualitative data analysis showed that there was little contact between ESP teachers and students while developing the EAP curricula and instructional strategies. Students were also viewed as obedient and passive actors, required to carry out the predetermined institutional requirements established by the departments or curriculum designers. The findings of this study have implications for ESP teachers and material developers.

Critical Pedagogy (CP) in Iran, among other countries, is still in its early stages, and there are various challenges facing the implementation of problem-posing education. To pinpoint the probable factors impeding transformation in the educational setting, the present research, using a convenience sampling, investigated 64 Iranian EFL teachers’ beliefs and understanding of CP and its fundamental tenets. Furthermore, attempts were made to examine the way these teachers’ understanding of CP informed their beliefs of it. As such, a set of interviews as well as observations were conducted to capture the participants’ statements, intention, and behavior. As a result of a thorough thematic analysis, it was discovered that approximately 89 percent of the 64 EFL teachers participating in this study did not have a profound understanding of this approach. This finding can bear witness to the inefficient or insufficient pre-service teacher education. Regarding their beliefs about CP, these EFL teachers either resisted or disagreed with the fundamental tenets of CP. The findings of the present study hold much to contribute to the related literature, insofar as new doors will be opened for those whose area of interest falls within the purview of CP and student voice.

Considerable research has been conducted on the advancement of types of tests to facilitate a second language vocabulary improvement. However, whether types of tests (receptive vs. productive) lead to a comprehensive mastery of L2 active vocabulary knowledge has seldom been addressed in previous literature. This study investigated the effects of receptive (multiple-choice tests) and productive (C-tests) vocabulary instruction on L2 active English vocabulary learning in an EFL context like Iran. To this end, a sample of 60 English learners from one of the private language institutes in Maragheh, Iran, were divided into experimental and control groups. The data gathering tools were the Oxford placement test, a pretest in vocabulary in the form of the Test of Academic Lexicon (Scarcella & Zimmerman, 1998), a posttest in vocabulary, and a semi-structured interview. The learners in the first treatment group took a series of multiple-choice tests, whereas the second group used C-tests during the treatment. The results of ANOVA and post hoc showed that while both C-tests and multiple-choice tests were effective in enhancing L2 active vocabulary knowledge, C-tests were more effective than the multiple-choice test. The results of the interview with the learners in the productive vocabulary instruction approved the results of data analysis, as the students expressed positive attitudes toward the use of C-tests as effective means for improving their active vocabulary recall. The findings of this study provide new insights for language teachers and curriculum designers to apply C-tests in EFL courses.

Acknowledging the difference in the lexical backgrounds of students and teachers aids in having a realistic picture of how learning happens. Translanguaging promotes learning by exploring the multilingual capabilities of students. However, it is not sufficient to only account for the learner aspect of the matter. One way of considering the influence of educators is to start conversations about teacher immunity. Language teacher immunity allows teachers to function effectively at school and to appreciate new approaches. A few studies have been carried out to evaluate the association between Translanguaging and teacher immunity. This study tried to fill the gap in the literature by surveying 207 Iranian EFL teachers’ perceptions toward translanguaging. This study aimed at finding connections between Translanguaging and teacher immunity in order to potentially develop teacher resilience by utilizing the full potential of the students’ lexicon. Participants were from both genders and were different in terms of their experience, native language, and their current field of study. Findings indicate that Iranian EFL teachers have a moderate sense of immunity in their pedagogies. Approximately 61% of the participants chose to teach English using both Persian and English and 54% think using Persian to teach English is beneficial for students. Mostly, participants reported that they sometimes encourage and personally use Persian to teach English in different activities. Finally, the educators’ views of taking advantage of the full range of language resources of students by translanguaging techniques could not be clarified by their competence in dealing with complicated work conditions.

This paper tries to propose a reconsideration of the needs analysis procedure regarding the ESP courses for the students of arts (here, media arts) with an emphasis on the distinct contextual nature of such courses and the participants’ own varying perceptions of their needs. Considering the necessity of attending also the ‘wants’ in ESP, the data was collected from the students who participated in a variety of media English courses at all academic levels (B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.) in one of the unique Asian universities focused on media-related majors. The paper argues for recognition of the specific ‘wants’ (i.e., target students’ own perceptions) in the particular media ESP contexts. Supported by the target students’ (N = 153) narrated opinions gathered and analyzed through metaphor analysis (derived from “Cognitive Metaphor Theory”; CMT) now in service for the ESP’s needs analysis, it is stressed that traditional needs analysis procedures will not necessarily satisfy all ESP courses’ requirements. As particular academic/professional communities possess particular non-generalizable features, the recommended procedure also involves serious consideration of the feedback received by the researcher which entails tuning the content, resources, activities, and tasks of the courses to the very particular tastes of the students of media shaped by both their background, interests and tendencies, and their forthcoming occupational positions in which they need/use English. The rationale is also backed by in-depth interviews.