The current study investigates the effect of self- and group-reflection training on Iranian in-service EFL teachers’ performance development. From all available participants teaching at the International College of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 40 in-service EFL teachers were selected. An observation checklist, a semi-structured interview, and the Skype app were employed. There were two groups, i.e., a self-reflection group (N=20) and a group-reflection group (N=20; five subgroups with four members). A mixed-methods design was used in this study. Before the training phase, the pre-test (observation checklist) was administered. During the training phase, the self-reflection group members were exposed to self-reflection practice. In addition, the group-reflection participants were exposed to the group-reflection practice. The instruction was presented in 16 sessions twice a week for two months. After the training phase, the post-test (observation checklist) was administered. Moreover, participants were given a semi-structured interview on their reactions to their teaching efficacy. The obtained data were analyzed through SPSS software version 23. The analysis of data revealed that implementing the principles of self-reflective and group-reflective instructions had statistically significant effects on Iranian in-service EFL teachers’ teaching performance. Also, participants believed that reflective practice in both forms had constructive effects on their teaching performance. This study has pedagogical implications for English language teachers, EFL learners, and teacher educators who seek to find more effective teaching methodologies and help them to construct their own meaning of teaching. Manuscript profile

Developing textbook material is a crucial component of any curriculum, which should be based on sound and systematic techniques. In a detailed view, considering the importance of knowing English not only as an international language but as the language of commerce, tech and science, English course needs to be programmed efficiently to provide a suitable circumstance of learning for learners. In this regard, the present study is to develop a new English textbook for Iranian Senior High Schools to provide an opportunity for high school students as well as teachers to be actively engaged in the text, questions, and images of the textbook based on William Rummy’s Technique to keep up with the developments of the field. The results of the study demonstrate demonstrates that the involvement index is appropriate enough to actively engage the learners in the newly developed English textbook. That is, the texts, questions, and images within the textbook are suitably developed to engage the students actively. Manuscript profile

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of task-based instruction (TBI) and project-based instruction (PBI) on the improvement of EFL learners' referential and expressive writing performance. To accomplish this objective, 60 students majoring in English translation participated in Oxford Quick Placement Test (OQPT), but out of them 50 students were selected as the members of a homogeneous sample. Then, they were assigned into two experimental groups. They were exposed to IELTS module task-based writing pre-test, treatment, and post-test, to assess the participants' writing performance. The participants in first experimental group received TBI to practice the referential and expressive types of writing, while those in the second group received PBI. The results showed that TBI and PBI affected the development of both referential and expressive writing among EFL learners. In addition, the results revealed that there was not any statistically significant difference between the effect of PBI and TBI on developing expressive and referential writings among EFL learners. The pedagogical implications of the study are discussed at the end of the paper. Manuscript profile

L2/FL writing ability, which per se includes many different types, is considered a major skill in academic settings. However, little research has been done in this area and even less has focused on the effectiveness of task-based writing instruction on the two specific kinds; namely, referential writing and expressive writing. To this end, 60 English Translation sophomores of both genders were selected and divided into two classes after ensuring their homogeneity through the Quick Placement Test (OQPT). For the pre- and post-tests, the participants were required to take IELTS writing tests requiring referential and expressive types of writing. As for the treatment of the study, all participants were instructed based on the same content materials of advanced writing and a task-based framework. The results of the statistical analysis indicated significant improvements in the participants’ writing abilities in referential and expressive written tasks. Besides, the effectiveness of task-based writing techniques was approved in terms of referential and expressive types of language functions in the academic writing of Iranian EFL learners. Manuscript profile

The main purpose of this study was to find out the effects of synchronous (online) approaches on Iranian EFL learners’ vocabulary development and attitude. To this end, a population of 75 homogeneous students studying in Iranmehr English Language Institute, cooperated as participants. As for the collection of the needed data, a blended learning questionnaire was employed, The collected data were analyzed through one-way ANOVA and independent-samples t-test. The results displayed that there was a significant difference between synchronous and conventional methods of learning vocabulary in reading context. They also revealed that synchronous approach provided the learners with a chance to get the teachers’ feedback immediately, and take part in learning and self-monitoring process of their progress actively. The results also indicated that students and teachers view synchronous approaches as more effective than the conventional approach, and thus can assist language teachers to make a more creative learning atmosphere and ease the learning processes in terms of vocabulary retention and use. Manuscript profile

Consecutive interpreting is the process of interpreting after the interlocutor has completed his or her speech in the source language and pauses while the interpreter transmits that information (Russell, 2005). Therefore, consecutive interpreting involves a lot of concurrently challenging cognitive and affective processes for the interpreter. However, consecutive interpreting which is commonly employed as one of the major modes of interpreting in different settings appears to be disregarded or unexplored in interpreting research. Hence, the researcher, in this review, provides an in-depth elucidation of certain conspicuous issues within consecutive interpreting, including the revision of certain consecutive models, the significance of cognitive issues within consecutive interpreting, memory training, and using process and product oriented strategies during consecutive interpreting. This review highlights the fact that consecutive interpreting is a complex process in which involves different mental and cognitive operations, comprising consecutive interpreters’ memory and memory-aiding notes in which assist consecutive interpreters’ performance during the rendition and also consecutive interpreters’ strategy exploitation in which derives from his or her competence and sub-competence. Overall, this review might open up the floodgates of research within consecutive interpreting or it might provide certain guidelines and insights for consecutive interpreting trainers and practitioners. Manuscript profile

This study examines the effect of implementing group-reflection training on Iranian in-service EFL teachers’ beliefs and performance development. From all available participants teaching at the International College of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, 20 in-service EFL teachers participated in this study. All participants held a master's degree in TEFL. Teacher’s belief questionnaire, observation checklist, and Skype app were used as the instruments to collect data in this study. Before the training phase, the pre-test (observation checklist) was administered, and teachers’ previous teaching performance was evaluated and recorded by an expert supervisor (one of the researchers). Also, the teacher’s belief questionnaire was used by all the participants in this study to evaluate teachers’ assumptions about the efficacy of their teaching practice. The researchers utilized Skype App to instruct the participants in an online setting. During the training phase, participants were exposed to the group-reflection practice. The instruction was done in 16 sessions twice a week for two months. After the training phase, the post-test (observation checklist) was administered, and teachers’ teaching performance was evaluated and re-recorded. The teacher’s belief questionnaire was also utilized as the post-test. The data analysis indicated that implementing the principles of group-reflective instruction had a statistically significant effect on Iranian in-service EFL teachers’ beliefs about their teaching efficacy and teaching performance development. The findings of the present study have some implications that can assist English language educators, EFL learners, students, language curriculum program policymakers, and syllabus designers. Manuscript profile

The distinction between implicit and explicit grammatical knowledge and their distinct roles and contributions to the second language acquisition has been the recent subject of debate among second language acquisition researchers (Ellis, 2004).. To bridge this gap, whereas the first question of this study aimed at appraising the explicit vs. implicit grammar instruction among EFL leaners, further investigation was accomplished to illuminate the relationship between EFL learners’ explicit/implicit grammar knowledge and their general language proficiency. To this end, 40 EFL leaners participated in the first phase of the study. While the participants in the first experimental group received explicit interventional program (Ellis & Worthington, 1994), the second experimental group benefitted from enhanced input instruction (Sharwoodsmith, 1981). The results indicated the superiority of the explicit instruction in developing explicit grammar knowledge among the EFL participants. For the sake of the second phase of the study, a sample population of 140 EFL learners was asked to complete Timed and Untimed Grammatical Judgment Test and the sample TOEFL language proficiency test. A set of correlation coefficients was run and the results revealed that there was no significant correlation between the EFL participants’ implicit knowledge and their language proficiency, while the findings confirmed a statistically significant relationship between EFL learners’ explicit grammar knowledge and the subcomponents of their general language proficiency. The findings have some pedagogical implications for EFL teachers, practitioners, and also material developers. Manuscript profile

As developing material is an ongoing process that needs to be analyzed in a multidimensional manner, the present study focuses explicitly on English Textbook Vision3 in Iranian senior high schools to investigate to what extent this English textbook involves the domains of learning objectives defined by Benjamin Bloom’s Taxonomy (1985) each of which contains several subcategories investigated through the study in details. Considering gained tables on analyzing Information Load and Significance Factor of the English textbook Vision3 (Student’s and Workbook) within cognitive, affective and psycho-motor domains of Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy using Shannon Entropy Method, it is concluded that regarding cognitive domain,“Evaluation” in the first, “Application” in the second, “Synthesis” in the third “Knowledge” in the fourth, “Analysis” in the fifth and “Comprehension” is in the sixth place of significance and none of six defined cognitive subcategories are neglected within developing the textbook as the last English textbook of senior high school program in Iranian Educational Curriculum. However, statistical results show that among affective domain’s subcategories only“Responding” and “Receiving” are put into practice, while higher levels of affective domain including “Valuing”, “Organizing” and “Characterization” are neglected throughout the both student’s and the workbook. Furthermore, studying the psycho-motor domain of the considered English textbook it seems that “Guided Response”, “Mindset” are the only subcategories which are noticed through strategies In general, tables reveal that the most frequent involved domain among Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy belongs to cognitive one and the other two domains (affective and psychomotor) play little role through their higher subdivisions. Manuscript profile

Coursebooks are normally written to contain information, instruction, exposure, and activities that learn- ers at a particular level need to enhance their communicative competence in the target language. Howev- er, many global course books make attempts to include content, topics, and texts that do not disadvantage any learner around the world. That is why global course books normally do not reflect the reality of the classroom in terms of the students‟ English proficiency level, interests,wants, and needs. Therefore, it is perhaps up to language teachers to develop, evaluate, and adapt language teaching materials for their own classrooms. This review addresses the issue of the role of teachers as materials developers, and how they can meet materials development demands by exploiting their creativity and employing the principles of developing materials targeted in this study. Consequently, the main purpose of this review is to provide prospective language teachers with certain principles and guidelines on development, evaluation, adapta- tion, and humanization of language learning materials for their EFL learners. Collectively, the major im- plication for this review is to inspire EFL teachers to reflectively use systematic procedures in materials development to design, implement, and evaluate language learning materials rather than simply employ- ing globally harmonious and undisturbed published materials during their instruction. Manuscript profile

Humanizing language learning materials helps language teachers to design activities that are linked to learn- ers’ lives and experiences. This can result in higher motivation and engagement in the process of foreign language learning. Self-determination theory-based instruction enhances learners’ engagement and motiva- tion through supporting the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Howev- er, teachers’ ability to apply coursebook or even teaching style that fosters engagement and motivation among learners has received little attention in EFL context. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to compare the impacts of the two intervention programs of humanizing the coursebook and self-determination theory-based instruction on developing engagement and motivation among EFL learners. To this aim, 60 homogeneous participants were selected among the foreign language learners and randomly assigned into two experimental groups. Behavioral Regulation Questionnaire and Classroom Engagement Questionnaire were used to measure the determined variables in the study. Whereas both self-determination theory-focused intervention program and coursebook humanization indicated to significantly effect on enhancing motiva- tional subscales, the results of the study provided evidence on substantial effect of humanizing the course- book on promoting behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and agentic engagement subscales among English as foreign language (EFL) learners. The findings validated language teachers’ skills in fostering learners’ en- gagement and motivation through employing the principles of both more humanistic course books and au- tonomy-supportive teaching style within self-determination theory. Manuscript profile