پژوهش حاضر به طراحی چارچوب ارزشیابی برنامه درسی جدید زبان انگلیسی دوره متوسطه جمهوری اسلامی ایران با استفاده از روش پژوهش کیفی از نوع تحلیل مضمون پرداخته است. مشارکت‌کنندگان بالقوه این پژوهش سرگروه‌های آموزشی زبان انگلیسی دوره متوسطه جمهوری اسلامی ایران، مؤلفان کتاب‌های درسی زبان انگلیسی و کارشناسان ارزشیابی برنامه درسی بودند. نمونه‌گیری به‌صورت هدفمند و با رویکرد اشباع نظری داده‌ها صورت گرفت. داده‌ها با استفاده از مصاحبه نیمه‌ساخت‌یافته جمع‌آوری، سپس کدگذاری شده و مورد تحلیل مضمون قرار گرفت. با استفاده از نرم‌افزار Nvivo10 شبکه مضامین ترسیم گردید. یافته‌ها نشان داد که چارچوب ارزشیابی برنامه درسی شامل ابعاد اهمیت ارزشیابی برنامه درسی، ویژگی‌های برنامه درسی جدید زبان انگلیسی، ابعاد، ملاک‌ها و معیارهای ابعاد و مشارکت‌کنندگان در ارزشیابی برنامه درسی می‌گردد که هر کدام دارای زیر ابعادی بودند که در شبکه مضامین به‌عنوان چارچوب ارزشیابی برنامه درسی زبان انگلیسی سازمان‌دهی شدند. نتیجه‌گیری کلی اینکه یک چارچوب جامع باید شامل همه ابعاد و زیر ابعاد ذکر شده باشد. پیشنهاد می‌گردد برنامه درسی جدید زبان انگلیسی دوره متوسطه با استفاده از این چارچوب مورد ارزشیابی قرار گیرد. Manuscript profile

The main priority for university translation educators is to improve the quality and outcomes of translation courses. To achieve such a goal, the instructors are required to integrate learners' needs, identified with the help of a needs survey, into syllabus content. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to identify the Iranian English majors' difficulties in translating English texts since once a problem is identified, exploring the best pedagogical solutions would follow. The aim was accomplished through qualitative descriptive research conducted at Islamic Azad University, Shiraz Branch tracing the errors committed by the English majors in their exam papers in academic years 2016-2019. Following the model proposed by Miremadi (2008), the syntactic and lexical problems were identified in the exam papers collected during six semesters. Moreover, three more categories were added to the list as the data analysis moved forward: culture problems, stylistic problems, and miscellaneous errors with detailed subdivisions. What appeared to be worthy of attention in the results was the students' weakness in text and sentence segmentation to find the function of the components to approach textual meaning, resulting from the students' poor English language proficiency. The results also revealed the students' poor topical knowledge as well as the lack of knowledge of translation techniques and strategies. Manuscript profile

This study was an endeavor to develop a model of identity among Iranian EFL learners. To achieve this end, a multiphase design was implemented. Initially, it attempted to investigate different factors of identity to propose and validate a model. Thus, 120 EFL learners studying in different English language institutes in Iran were randomly selected, and 36 learners were interviewed about their views of their identity in the qualitative phase. After extracting six factors of identity, including: second language acquisition and social status, cultural attachment, Persian language adhesion, pronunciation posture, technology involvement, and language identity, and second language knowledge, a questionnaire was constructed which reflected these factors. Then, in the quantitative phase, the questionnaire went through an exploratory factor analysis for the sake of validity. After its validity and reliability were corroborated through a pilot study with 20 learners, it was distributed among 120 EFL learners. Besides, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis was run to confirm that the final proposed model enjoyed validity for future research. To do so, the confirmatory factor analysis was run, and the model of identity was developed. Eventually, the possible relationship between 120 EFL learners’ identity and their English language achievement scores were examined, and the results of this phase indicated that there was a significant and positive relationship between learners’ identity and their English language achievement scores. The findings of this study can enhance awareness among English teachers, materials developers, and syllabus designers to equip themselves with the updated techniques to handle the possible challenges that may occur in EFL learning contexts. Manuscript profile

Abstract Reading strategies are seen as supportive means to help learners process and comprehend English texts effectively. The present research probed to posit a discipline-specific model of reading strategies for Iranian TEFL postgraduate students. The motive behind developing a local model of reading strategy is twofold: first, a variety of postgraduate students admitted for M.A and Ph.D. programs, either may not have received their first degrees in TEFL or they are TEFL graduates who lag behind disciplinary-knowledge in terms of reading. Consequently, Twenty- eight postgraduate students majoring in English Language Teaching from Shiraz University, Isfahan University, Yazd University and Islamic Azad university of Bandar-Abbas wherein M.A and Ph.D. programs in TEFL are offered were asked to brainstorm their ideas as to how they approach technical materials in English. Conducting a 3-session semi-structured interview with 22 participants and focus-group interviews with six participants, the researchers then transcribed and codified the data according to Corbin and Strauss (2014) systematic steps of open, axial and selective coding for grounded theory. The findings revealed a six factor model encompassing 32 categories. The factors include: a) previewing the content, b) recognition of the salient and pronounced features, C) emphasis and clarification upon the significant features, d) consulting auxiliary sources, e) ruminating and reflecting upon the text, and f) reviewing the gist of materials. As a matter of fact, the proposed model can help postgraduate students move away from teacher authority and develop reading autonomy. Manuscript profile

Many factors may be involved in determining why some students are more and some are less proficient in language. This study tried to explore the factors affecting Iranian EFL learners’ proficiency. 221 students at second, third and fourth year of university, including 50 male and 171 female were selected randomly to participate in the study. A researcher-made questionnaire and a proficiency test comprised the data collection instruments. The researchers were able to identify three factors affecting language proficiency. They were classified as social factors, cultural factors and linguistic factors, Then a model was developed to represent the relationship among these factors and language proficiency. In line with Bourdieu’s (1986), the results of data analysis indicated that social factors are among the most dominant factors affecting the learners’ language proficincy. Manuscript profile

Many factors may be involved in determining why some students are more and some are less proficient in language. This study tried to address the above issue by proposing a model encompassing 3 factors. For this purpose, a qualitative phase was run which aimed at exploring the sub-factors and factor(s) which are most influential in developing language proficiency. A semi-structured interview was run as the data collection instrument. The data obtained through transcribed interviews with 32 students studying English‎ were analyzed through a grounded theory approach. Three categories of social, cultural and linguistic factors were devised, based on the literature and the qualitative results, which were believed to be effective in language proficiency. Using SEM procedures, the researcher was then able to develop a model. After analyzing the data, the obtained results seemed to be in line with Bourdieu’s (1986) idea that social factors are considered as the most dominant factors. Manuscript profile

This study sought to compare Iranian EFL teachers regarding their ethical beliefs at Iranian English language institutes and universities. To this end, first, the grounded theory method was used to conduct some interviews with 40 EFL teachers (20 male, 20 female). They were randomly selected from about 140 teachers working at institutes and universities in Fars province, Iran. After coding the obtained data, some categories were recognized, a model was designed, and exploratory factor analysis was conducted. The results confirmed the existence of social, collaborative, emotional, and managerial impacts. Then, a questionnaire was designed and developed based on grounded theory procedures, literature results, and the results of the qualitative studies. 140 EFL teachers filled it out and then the collected data underwent both descriptive and inferential statistics. The obtained results indicated that there was a significant difference between teachers regarding their ethical beliefs in universities and institutes. Moreover, it was revealed that the male and female teachers were significantly different. The mean scores of the female teachers and the male ones are 79.2500 and 75.2500 respectively. The findings of the current study can be useful for teachers, educators, teacher trainers, policymakers, and evaluators to make appropriate decisions and judgments. Manuscript profile

The present study was an attempt to identify a model of the political and socio-economic factors influencing Iranian EFL learners’ motivation to learn English. To achieve this goal, 20 EFL learners studying at the Iran Language Institute in Darab, Iran were invited for an interview session and a questionnaire was then designed based on the interview findings. Piloted testing of the survey was conducted among 221 EFL learners. Exploratory factor analysis was then run to identify the underlying factors and as a result, eight factors proved to have high loadings. Subsequently, the final 26-item questionnaire was distributed among 375 EFL learners and they were asked to rate the items on a Likert scale. Analyzing responses revealed the most influencing factor as ‘emigration’ and the least important one as ‘attitudes toward English and its utilitarian values’. To confirm the factor structure of the instrument, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used. The goodness of fit measures was utilized to see whether the proposed model fitted the data. The obtained fit indices including GFI, RMSEA, SRMR, NFI, Chi-square/df proved to be acceptable suggesting the fit of the model. Manuscript profile

The main priority for translation educators is to improve the quality and outcomes of translation courses at the university level. The process of planning and implementing the teaching process and the design of teaching materials are the translation teachers' two major concerns among many. This research presents Iranian translation educators' views on the possibilities for improving the conditions in the English language departments of Iranian universities. The goal was achieved through conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews with some of the experienced faculty members of the Iranian universities involved in translation teaching, whose suggested guidelines and perspectives were extracted and synthesized. The discussions centered around applying the constructivist approach to teaching translation, which the interviewees believed could provide opportunities for students to play an active role in their own learning by integrating and activating corresponding knowledge, skills, and attributes specifically in the form of group work or collaborative learning in translation classes. Furthermore, local policies, based on needs assessment, implemented by each department were considered to be highly efficient to face translation teaching and learning problems. Manuscript profile

The present mixed-method research has been prepared to probate scaffolding types on EFL learners’ reading ability and reading strategy. To achieve this end, a multiphase design was implemented and the researchers recruited a total number of 80 intermediate students from Azad University of Bandar Abbas in Iran. The sample was divided into four groups as soft scaffolding group, hard scaffolding group, reciprocal scaffolding group, and virtual scaffolding group. The participants of these groups sat for a pretest of reading comprehension, a posttest of reading comprehension, along a test of reading strategies. In addition, the students’ self-reports and portfolios and the researchers’ observations and notes through filling out the checklists were used. Considering the students’ reading ability development, the results indicated that complex scaffolding enjoyed the highest mean on the posttest of reading. Regarding reading strategies, the findings highlighted that different scaffolding treatments had effects on the development of global, problem solving, and supporting reading strategies among the learners. The hard-scaffolding group had the highest use of reading strategies followed by the virtual scaffolding group. The reciprocal and soft scaffolding groups similarly had less use of reading strategies. Manuscript profile

This study intended to develop a model of identity for the Iranian EFL context with emphasize on their language proficiency. Moreover, the study defined learners' opinions about the language and identity and that method would be the best to be taught. The project had a cross-sectional quantitative research design, collecting both quantitative and qualitative data via interviews, questionnaires and language proficiency test. Considering a total population of EFL learners in Iran, a sample of 120 students were randomly se- lected to participate in the study. The students were surveyed by testing their identity perceptions in learn- ing English. As a result, language-specific effects on the learners' identities, and how much competency in language learning would be occurred were the most important aspects of this study. The importance of a second language learning skill alongside the native language was thoroughly explained and its relation- ship to the identity of the language learners was explored and was concluded that there was significant relationship between them. Apart from these discussions, it has clearly seen the importance of the identity of learners and the skill of the learners in the educational implications that have a great impact in this field. Implementation of the methods based on these findings facilitates the emergence and development of a second language system in the learner's mind during the process of learning, and prevents the inter- play of first language patterns with second language patterns. Manuscript profile

The present study was an attempt to identify a model of the political and socio-economic factors influencing Iranian EFL learners’ motivation to learn English. To achieve this, 20 EFL learners were interviewed about their motivation of learning English and based on these interviews, a questionnaire was designed and piloted among 221 EFL learners. Exploratory factor analysis was then run to identify the underlying factors, and as a result, eight factors proved to have high loadings. Then, the final 26-item questionnaire was distributed among 375 EFL learners, and they were asked to rate the items on a Likert scale. Analyzing responses revealed the most influencing factor as ‘emigration’ and the least important one as ‘attitudes toward English and its utilitarian values’. To confirm the factor structure of the instrument, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used. The goodness of fit measures was utilized to see whether the proposed model fitted the data. The obtained fit indices sustained the initial structure of the EFA with eight factors and 26 items. Consequently, this model can act as a reliable source for future localized motivation research in Iran making up for the lack of such a specific view in this politically unique EFL context. Manuscript profile