It has been shown that collaborative learning can potentially boost the learning of a second language. This study aimed to investigate the effect of collaborative learning on the motivation of EFL learners and their vocabulary learning. The quasi-experimental design was used to investigate the research questions. Two groups of intermediate EFL learners took part in the study; the first group of learners (n= 30) was instructed through the traditional routine (i.e. grammar-translation) while the second group (n=30) was instructed by collaborative task-based instruction. All participants were requested to fill out a motivation questionnaire twice during their course (once at the beginning and once at the end). Participants of both groups were also asked to answer the vocabulary test which was designed based on their course content to assess their vocabulary development throughout the semester (once at the beginning and once at the end). The independent samples t-test was used to analyze the data. The findings indicated that engaging them in collaborative learning significantly improved their motivation and vocabulary scores. The results highlight the value of cooperative learning and open new routes in empowering teachers and teacher educators. پرونده مقاله

This study aimed to investigate the sense of professional agency of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) pre-service teachers at Farhangian University, Iran. The study aimed to examine changes in teacher agency across Farhangian University campuses using a newly-developed survey that was part of a larger study. The survey assessed the professional agency of 210 pre-service teachers through convenience sampling in three dimensions, namely iterational, practical-evaluative, and projective dimensions. Based on the theoretical framework of ecological teacher agency, the pre-service teachers' agency questionnaire comprised instructional beliefs, supportive beliefs, competency, collaborative learning, the opportunity to influence, the opportunity to make choices, support, equality, trust, institutional context, community, short-term and long-term goals. The collected data were subjected to statistical analyses, including Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. The study observed a significant correlation between all major elements of pre-service teachers' professional agency. Notably, senior students perceived as having higher agency than freshman students. However, no significant gender effects were observed in achieving agency. In conclusion, this study suggests that the development of professional agency among student teachers is crucial for their overall performance as teachers. The study provides valuable insight into how teacher education programs can enhance student teachers' professional agency and offers recommendations for future research. پرونده مقاله

Writing has a unique position in language teaching since its acquisition involves the practice and knowledge of the other three language skills. One of the best ways to attract students to writing is to let them write at the beginning of the learning process as freely as possible and evoke in them the feeling of creativity. Creative writing obviously can play a crucial role in the development of writing skills. This study is an inquiry into the role grammar-based stylistic imitation plays in learning how to write in English classes. To this end, the researcher, taking advantage of qualitative and action research to collect and analyze the data, attempted to teach paragraph writing to EFL in-service teachers using the grammar-based stylistic imitation. Fourteen non-native English teachers from the Gooyesh language institute in Shahrood were asked to do a close and free imitation. The researcher made use of semi-structured interviews to explain if and when they would use it in their own classes. The results showed grammar-based stylistic imitation could be of tremendous help to novice learners in their classes in that it can alleviate the burden they feel trying to master writing. However, a few teachers argued against it stating concerns about voices getting lost and styles getting killed. The results from the present inquiry can raise awareness of the way imitation, grammar-based stylistic imitation to be more specific, can find its way back into the classroom, which can help curriculum designers, stakeholders, policymakers, and administrators. پرونده مقاله

Since second or foreign language learning is a?.m long term endeavor and learners may lose their initial interest and enthusiasm, they need to be kept motivated. Student engagement has been recommended as one approach to sustaining such at risk learners at high levels of motivation. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the dimensions of student engagement and language learning motivation among Iranian EFL learners. To this end, 117 intermediate EFL learners at the Iran Language Institute (ILI), Gorgan adult male branch, Iran, having been selected as the participants of the study through convenience sampling, were given two questionnaires: Student Engagement Questionnaire (Hart, Stewart, & Jimerson, 2011; Reeve, 2013) and Language Learning Motivation Scale (Noels, Pelletier, Clément, & Vallerand, 2000). The quantitative data gathered through these questionnaires were analyzed by the software package of SPSS, version 24. The results of the correlation tests showed that there were significant relationships between language learning motivation and each dimension of student engagement, with the cognitive engagement having the highest correlation. Further, the results of multiple regression analyses indicated that cognitive engagement was the sole predictor of language learning motivation. پرونده مقاله

It is a general belief that learning management systems (LMSs), especially smart ones, can better learning outcomes. Accordingly, information-age educational centers have to be designed and prepared to adopt these technological developments, sooner or later. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a smart reading instruction management system (RIMS) on the reading ability of Iranian EFL learners. A mixed-methods design was adopted. Accordingly, forty learners selected via convenient sampling took part in the quantitative stage of the study in which a quasi-experimental design was adopted. The results of statistical analyses also showed that RIMS had a significant effect on reading comprehension so the participants (n = 20) made improvements after the course and outdid their counterparts in the control group. Additionally, the qualitative analysis of mediation episodes that occurred in the experimental group showed that RIMS is perceived to be flexible in terms of meeting learners’ needs and interests. It is motivating and provides chances for storing teacher-learner interaction for future formative assessment, incompetency diagnosis, and feedback provision. Moreover, it is perceived to be a suitable timesaving breakthrough for promoting individualized learning methods. پرونده مقاله

Writing always plays an essential part in learning languages, mostly due to close connections it bears to speaking and reading development. Nevertheless, next to speaking and reading, writing is comparatively less attended to. This paper is an attempt to look into the potential stylistic imitation holds in learning how to write as well as how this technic is perceived by the EFL teachers. Action research offers an invaluable chance to delve into the real-life issues teachers deal with on a daily basis. In-service teachers attending a writing course took part in this study to experience first-hand how it feels to use imitation in class to teach writing. They were first presented with a model paragraph and asked to imitate it, first closely sticking to the style of the writer, then freely making changes to the wording and structure as they see fit. Lastly, they were asked to reflect upon the experience. It was revealed that most teachers believed stylistic imitation can benefit learners and they intend to practice it in their classes. They seem to believe stylistic imitation can be of extraordinary help to novice learners in their classes in that it can alleviate the burden they feel trying to master writing. However, a few argued against it stating concerns for voices getting lost and styles getting killed. پرونده مقاله