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        1 - The Role of Recasts on EFL Learning: Does the Working Memory Interfere?
        Farzaneh Bahadori Mohammad Bavali Mohammad Javad Riasati Samad Mirza Suzani
        The view of learning from our errors in an EFL learning context as the subject of myriad applied linguistic studies has not yet taken root. Thus, the impact of extensive and intensive recasts on grammatical and lexical development in EFL context along with the students& More
        The view of learning from our errors in an EFL learning context as the subject of myriad applied linguistic studies has not yet taken root. Thus, the impact of extensive and intensive recasts on grammatical and lexical development in EFL context along with the students’ insights of recasts and the role of working memory was evaluated in this study and a quasi-experimental design was employed. The participants included 59 Iranian EFL students. Instruments of the study included an Oxford placement test of English, speaking and writing assignments and a working memory survey. Five short stories were presented during the experiment. The intensive recast group received feedback only on articles and theme words whereas the extensive recast group received feedback on any mistake that occurred throughout communication. The ANOVAs’ results showed that recasts had a helpful effect on EFL learning. A large effect size was indicated for the intensive group, outscoring the extensive group and the control group. Chi-square analysis of the interviews demonstrated a significant and positive difference on the perception of recasts by students of the intensive condition. Working memory was also positively correlated with the scores of learners in the intensive group. Therefore, higher SD learners revealed a higher improvement on oral tasks while higher AD learners were greater on the written tasks. A thorough study of the results implies a rich ground on the effect of recasts and WM in education, helping both teachers and students to a great extent in their teaching and learning journey. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        2 - Towards a Scale for Developing EFL Materials based on the principles of Critical Pedagogy
        Elham Tabatabaei Mohammad Bavali Leila Akbarpour
        This study aimed at designing a scale for developing EFL materials based on the principles of Critical Pedagogy. In so doing, a qualitative thematic analysis method was used. The participants of this study consisted of 20 (10 males and 10 females) EFL experts with more More
        This study aimed at designing a scale for developing EFL materials based on the principles of Critical Pedagogy. In so doing, a qualitative thematic analysis method was used. The participants of this study consisted of 20 (10 males and 10 females) EFL experts with more than 15 years of teaching EFL at the university level with at least one published paper on critical pedagogy and materials development, who were selected through purposive sampling from different states and Azad universities in Iran. To collect the data, a semi-structured interview was implemented. The existing literature on critical pedagogy and different materials development models was reviewed so that through merging the interview and literature review data, the recurrent categories can be identified and converted into the items of the intended scale. To analyze the data, thematic analysis was used. The following main themes were revealed as the main themes for CP-based EFL materials development: Defining CP-based objectives, developing CP-based content, encouraging CP-based teaching methods, encouraging CP-based evaluation procedures, and defining CP-based roles for teachers and students. Based on the extracted themes, a scale was developed into six categories. The developed scale consisted of 50 items in a five-point Likert range from 1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree. The findings have some implications for EFL teachers, learners, curriculum planners, and researchers. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        3 - E-Learning in the Context of English Language Teaching and Learning: An Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Approach
        Peyman Nouraey Mohammad Bavali Fatemeh Behjat
        available option for higher education institutions around the world. In Iran, universities used various platforms. For example, the Islamic Azad University started utilizing an exclusive platform (Vadana) and Payame Noor University used Adobe Connect. However, some chal More
        available option for higher education institutions around the world. In Iran, universities used various platforms. For example, the Islamic Azad University started utilizing an exclusive platform (Vadana) and Payame Noor University used Adobe Connect. However, some challenges and problems were reported by the educators and students using these platforms, somehow due to a lack of preparation and premeditation. This study focused on the problems and challenges in contrast to the opportunities and solutions associated with e-learning among university educators and students through a mixed-methods approach. On the quantitative side, two questionnaires were created and distributed among undergraduate TEFL students. In total, 216 responses were received. The findings revealed that the participants were mostly in agreement with the statements mentioned in both questionnaires. Later, using Confirmatory Factor Analysis, both questionnaires were validated. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 faculty members. Data saturation was reached after 5 interviews. The interview texts were then transcribed, and the findings were qualitatively presented and discussed. Based on the findings, the challenges and problems of e-learning encompassed technical issues, physical and mental concerns, additional burdens, assessments, proper training, IT literacy, and issues related to pedagogy. On the other hand, e-learning yielded benefits such as enhancements in communication, interaction, teaching, and learning, along with increased accessibility, convenience, productivity, and safety. The findings might be of value to students, educators, policymakers, and administrations involved in the delivery of online English language teaching in Iran. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        4 - Does Intensive versus Extensive Textual Enhancement Affect L2 Development?
        Farzaneh Bahadori Mohammad Bavali Mohammad Javad Riasati Samad Mirza Suzani
        Despite the deep ocean of knowledge on language learning and teaching, the need for further proof of inconsistent data and the demand to stay updated with the context is inventible. This need inspired the present study concerning the effect of extensive versus intensive More
        Despite the deep ocean of knowledge on language learning and teaching, the need for further proof of inconsistent data and the demand to stay updated with the context is inventible. This need inspired the present study concerning the effect of extensive versus intensive TEs on grammatical and lexical growth in L2 (English as a Second Language). A quasi-experimental design was applied on 61 ESL students in three intermediate groups. They were divided into two experimental groups, including an intensive TE group and an extensive TE group, and a control group to join five treatment sessions. An Oxford test was first applied, followed by an oral and a written test as the pretest. Similar versions of the oral and written tests were used as the posttest. The findings of ANOVA demonstrated a facilitative effect for intensive TEs on L2 learning. The Tukey's post hoc results showed that the intensive TE group outperformed the extensive TE group and the control group in both tests. The findings provide a deep insight of the teaching methodologies to the educational community. Prospective teachers can also consolidate their knowledge by an accurate insight into the right approach within the relevant context. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        5 - Unraveling the Impact of Recasts, Working Memory, and Textual Enhancements on EFL Learning: Intensive vs. Extensive Approaches
        Farzaneh Bahadori Mohammad Bavali Mohammad Javad Riasati Samad Mirza Suzani
        One of the challenges in English Language Learning (ELL) research is understanding the impact of different instructional techniques on grammatical and lexical growth. This study addresses this challenge by investigating the effects of extensive versus intensive recasts More
        One of the challenges in English Language Learning (ELL) research is understanding the impact of different instructional techniques on grammatical and lexical growth. This study addresses this challenge by investigating the effects of extensive versus intensive recasts and textual enhancements (TEs) on Foreign Language (FL) development, while considering the role of working memory capacity and students' perceptions. A quasi-experimental design was implemented, involving four experimental groups and one control condition. The results of one-way ANOVA and mixed between-within group ANOVAs revealed the facilitative effect of recasts on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning. Specifically, the intensive recasts group demonstrated significantly higher performance compared to the extensive recasts group, intensive TE group, extensive TE group, as well as the control group, in both tests. The study also examined students' perceptions through interviews, which indicated a notable difference in accurate perception of recasts. Students in the intensive recasts condition exhibited a higher level of accuracy compared to those in the extensive recasts group. Conversely, the extensive recasts group displayed limited error detection. Additionally, a significant correlation between working memory and learners' gain scores was observed in the intensive recasts condition. This suggests that learners with higher storage capacity demonstrated more substantial development in oral tasks, while learners with higher attention domain exhibited greater improvements in written tasks. By shedding light on these findings, this study contributes to our understanding of effective instructional techniques and their impact on EFL development. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        6 - A Systematic Review of E-Learning in the Context of Iran: Where Does English Language Teaching Stand?
        Peyman Nouraey Mohammad Bavali Fatemeh Behjat
        The first traces of e-learning in Iran dates to 2004, although this was not implemented until 2005. The present systematic review aimed at finding out where e-learning stands within the field of English language education also referred to as Teaching English as a Foreig More
        The first traces of e-learning in Iran dates to 2004, although this was not implemented until 2005. The present systematic review aimed at finding out where e-learning stands within the field of English language education also referred to as Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Data were collected through two main sources. The first source was MetSearch (Cardiff Metropolitan University’s e-library) which covers several reputable databases, yet we specifically looked into ProQuest Central, Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. The second source was Google Scholar which includes more publications but is less structured. Our search terms were e-learning OR elearning AND Iran OR problems OR challenges OR opportunities. We investigated a period of 15 years (i.e., between 2008 and 2022). Only peer-reviewed original articles written in English and addressing the challenges, problems, or opportunities related to e-learning in Iran were included. Our final search led to 12 original articles focusing on the aforementioned areas of e-learning. The findings revealed that the literature highly lacked studies related to e-learning in the area of TEFL in Iran. The included studies were mostly related to medicine and medical sciences, nursing, agriculture, technology, and sciences. With the increasing usage of e-learning among TEFL students and educators, especially after the strike of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers need to fill the huge gap that exists in the literature. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        7 - The Relationship between Cultural Intelligence and Expressions of Gratitude among Iranian Upper-Intermediate EFL Learners
        Oranoos Rezaei Mohammad Bavali
        This study investigated the relationship between cultural intelligence and the use of expressions of gratitude among Iranian upper intermediate EFL learners. 50 upper intermediate learners were selected through purposive sampling, with their proficiency level being cont More
        This study investigated the relationship between cultural intelligence and the use of expressions of gratitude among Iranian upper intermediate EFL learners. 50 upper intermediate learners were selected through purposive sampling, with their proficiency level being controlled. A discourse completion test (DCT) for the expressions of gratitude and a cultural intelligence scale were given to the participants of the study. Learners' DCT responses and cultural intelligence were rated on a five-point Likert scale and then analyzed. Statistical test including Pearson Correlation was used to test the hypothesis. The results of the analysis revealed that there was no significant relationship between cultural intelligence and the use of expressions of gratitude. Based on the results, it can be concluded that cultural intelligence, in general, and its level, in particular, may not have any influence on Iranian upper intermediate EFL Learners' use of expressions of gratitude, implying that at least in the case of acquiring expressions of gratitude, there seems to be no reason to capitalize much on learners' cultural intelligence. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        8 - Comparing EFL Language Teachers and Students’ Perceptions of Teacher’s Interpersonal Behavior: A Case Study in an Online Iranian Context
        Emad Omidpour Mohammad Bavali Fatemeh Behjat
        Teachers’ interpersonal behavior and the way it is perceived are considered to be determining factors in the quality of any educational context. However, due to the lack of face-to-face interactions in an online context, this issue is under question. Since this phenomen More
        Teachers’ interpersonal behavior and the way it is perceived are considered to be determining factors in the quality of any educational context. However, due to the lack of face-to-face interactions in an online context, this issue is under question. Since this phenomenon has not been studied in an online environment, the primary objective of the present case study was to explore how experienced EFL teachers and their students perceived teacher interpersonal behavior in online classes and the extent to which the two groups’ perceptions either converged or diverged in six selected online classes in Shiraz, Iran. The samples of the study were six EFL teachers and their respective 106 language students. To gather the data, The Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI) was administered to both groups to assess the eight scales of interpersonal behavior and dimensions. To analyze the data, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was employed to compare the two groups in terms of interpersonal behavior dimensions and scales. Accordingly, the results revealed that the EFL teachers and their students perceived the teachers to be moderately dominant and highly cooperative. There was a high level of convergence between the experienced teachers and their students’ perceptions of interpersonal behavior in terms of the Influence and Proximity dimensions. The Student Responsibility Freedom and Strict scales, however, were rated higher by teachers than their students. Following the findings, the present case study provides particular implications in the field of applied linguistics. Manuscript profile