Abstract The present study was an attempt to investigate the relationship between EFL learners’ anxiety and writing complexity. For the purpose of the study, 70 female learners, between 17 and 24 years old (mean=20) from Najm language school in Tehran participated in the study. The participants’ level of anxiety was measured using Horwitz, Horwitz, and Cope’s Anxiety Questionnaire (1986) and their writing complexity was measured through writing a narrative text based on their course book. The results revealed that there was a significant positive correlation between anxiety and writing complexity (p=.00). In addition, the results of examining the predictability of writing complexity by anxiety showed that anxiety significantly predicted writing complexity (F(1, 68)=16.67, p<.01). The results of this study have implications for students, teachers, and all those involved in the area of teaching and learning. Manuscript profile

To enrich our understanding of the attitudinal/motivational basis of foreign language learning at junior high school level, this study investigated the students’ status of L2 motivation, the relationship between motivational factors, and the possibility of predicting their motivated learning behavior in light of Dörnyei’s (2005, 2009) theory of L2 Motivational Self System. To this end, 1462 junior high school students classified as private language institute-goers and non-goers filled in the Persian version of L2 Motivational Self System questionnaire. After applying independent samples t-test, correlation, and regression analyses, it was found that all students enjoyed positive attitudinal and motivational dispositions although to a different extent, attitude toward learning English was the main predictor of their motivated learning behavior, and Ideal L2 Self was particularly stronger in the institute goers, while Ought-to L2 Self was rather the same for both groups. Manuscript profile

Negotiated syllabus addresses learners‟ needs and assists them in developing their own on-going syl- labus through shared decision-making in the classroom. Many studies focus on the effect of this learner-centered syllabus on language learning. However, few studies exist on its effect on the reading ability of language learners, especially in the area of English for specific purposes (ESP). To address this gap, this quasi-experimental pre-test post-test intact group design examined if negotiated syllabus has any significant effect on developing the reading comprehension of ESP students. To this end, 32 students in the experimental group were given the choice to design a negotiated syllabus through col- laboration while 39 students in the control group received a pre-designed syllabus. The data analysis showed that the ESP learners in the experimental group outperformed their counterparts in the control group on the reading post-test. The results of this study have implications for authorities in higher education, educational policy makers, and teacher professional development in ELT and ESP in par- ticular which are discussed in detail in the paper. Manuscript profile

Autonomy as an essential factor contributing to successful second language learning has been extensively studied in recent decades. Despite the importance of autonomy, the casual effect of the negotiated syllabus on enhancing learner autonomy through empirical studies is understudied. Few studies have attempted to document ESP learners’ experience with the negotiated syllabus. Therefore, this study methodologically contributes to the body of knowledge in autonomy by addressing the gaps mentioned above. This mix-methods research used a quasi-experimental design in the quantitative phase to investigate the effects of the negotiated syllabus on Iranian ESP learners’ (N = 71) autonomy. The experimental treatment was carried out with 32 students in the experimental class over eight weeks. The treatment comprised class-time exposure to a negotiated syllabus co-constructed through negotiation of purposes, contents, methodsو and evaluation. The control group used a pre-designed syllabus. T-test analysis showed a significant increase in the autonomy level of the experimental class in comparison to their counterparts in the control group. Qualitative data collected through semi-structured interview and student journal also confirmed the results. The compelling evidence on the positive effect of negotiated syllabus has different implications for different stakeholders including policymakers and teacher trainers. Manuscript profile