Globalization and EFL Curriculum Reform in Iran: Challenges and Opportunities

This study investigated the relationship between globalization and the necessity for EFL curriculum reform in Iran. It also analyzed challenges and opportunities created for curriculum and syllabus designers in this process. The qualitative analysis of the Perspective of Islamic Republic of Iran in 1404, and Development Plans 4 and 5 was done in order to find out the country’s policy toward globalization. The status of EFL program in Iran was described by carrying out two further analyses: (1) a comparative study of Iranian and Middle Eastern examinees’ TOEFL scores from 2002 to 2007, and (2) a review study of problems of teaching and learning English in Iranian high schools. The results of the analyses showed that: (1) Iran has taken an active role in facing globalization by appreciating its Iranian-Islamic values; (2) EFL program in Iran has serious problems, and (3) EFL curriculum reform in Iran is essential and inevitable in the process of globalization