رضا نجاتی

This study investigates the impact of negotiated syllabi on English as a Foreign Language (EFL)   learners’ motivation, engagement, and autonomy through a mixed-methods approach. Participants included 120 EFL learners, divided into experimental and control groups. Quantitative data were collected via motivation, autonomy, and engagement scales administered pre- and post-intervention, while qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with a subset of learners from the experimental group. ANCOVA result indicated that learners in the negotiated syllabus group exhibited significantly higher levels of motivation, engagement, and autonomy compared to the control group. Thematic analysis of interview data revealed eight primary themes, including increased relevance of course content, collaborative learning, and enhanced responsibility. Participants reported feeling more invested in their learning due to active involvement in course design, which fostered a sense of ownership and agency. These findings have implications for EFL curriculum development, highlighting the potential benefits of integrating learner input into syllabus design to improve educational outcomes. Future research should further explore learner-centered approaches across diverse EFL contexts.

Online classes, among other things, may require confidence, persistence, use of effective strategies, managing distractions, and maintaining focus on the part of the learners. Due to the prevalence and unique nature of this mode of instruction, it seems necessary to examine the factors that contribute to successful learning outcomes. This study examined the function of internet self-efficacy and online self-regulated learning in an online reading course. 264 university students completed the Persian versions of the Online Self-regulation Questionnaire (Cho & Cho, 2017) and the Online Learning Self-Efficacy Scale (Zimmerman & Kulikovich, 2016). Their reading performance was evaluated by the reading section of the TOEFL. The results, analyzed by a bivariate correlation, showed a significant correlation between internet self-efficacy and reading comprehension. Also, a significant positive connection was found between reading comprehension and self-regulated learning. Learners confident in using online environments and active in regulating their cognitive processes during reading tasks showed better comprehension outcomes. The regression analysis findings, however, show that self-efficacy (β = 0.47, t = 8.15, p < 0.00) is a stronger predictor of reading performance than self-regulation (β = 0.16, t = 2.89, p < 0.00). The findings highlight the importance of promoting self-regulation and internet self-efficacy to improve reading comprehension. Further research should explore other factors, such as cultural perspectives, teaching methods, cognitive abilities, and technological advancements.

In the field of foreign language education, self-directed learning and personal self-concept are essential as t h ey can empower students to attain optimal success in language learning by engaging students to express their ideas confidently, think reflectively, and make use of language learning strategies. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of self-directed learning and personal self-concept in reading comprehension. Moreover, the current study aimed to determine that whether self-directed learning and personal self-concept help to increase students’ scores in reading comprehension. The participants in this study were 170 EFL intermediate-level EFL students in two foreign language institutes named Diplomat and Safir in Tehran and Karaj. Gõni’s personal self-concept questionnaire and self-directed learning questionnaire were used and the students' reading skills were measured with the standard PET test. The obtained data were analyzed by multiple linear regression in SPSS software. Results of the study showed that there was a significant correlation between students’ comprehension scores and learners’ self-directed learning, but there was a little correlation between their self-concept and reading comprehension scores. Based on the research findings, it was concluded that self-directed learning has an important role in students’ comprehension, but not personal self-concept. It is possible to make students more successful in acquiring language skills by guiding students towards using self-directed strategies.

As the learning of foreign languages has increasingly become learner-centered, instructors are advised to take learners' characteristics into consideration to which they can tailor their teaching practices. There are several factors that influence language learning including critical thinking dispositions and learning strategies. This study examined the relationship between critical thinking dispositions and writing strategies, as well as the extent to which Iranian English learners utilize certain writing strategies. This study adopted a correlational design. The statistical population included students majoring in English in Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, of whom 150 students were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using Ricketts' (2003) Critical Thinking Disposition Scale (2003) and Abdollahzadeh’s (2010) Writing Strategy Questionnaire. The questionnaires were completed by 101 students from which eleven students whose responses were distorted excluded and the remaining 90 responses were analyzed using a bivariate correlation analysis. According to the results, learners' critical thinking disposition was positively correlated with their writing strategy. Additionally, the results demonstrated that Iranian EFL learners occasionally used a variety of writing strategies. It is also noteworthy that metacognitive and cognitive strategies were applied at a higher frequency than others. Thus, it can be concluded that critical thinking plays a vital role in employing different writing strategies.

Frequent quizzes followed by feedback on students’ strengths and weaknesses may enhance learning. Hence, the possible effect of weekly quizzes on language learning might be of interest in Iranian EFL context, especially in high schools. In order to understand the importance of weekly short quizzes, 88 students from four classes of high school second graders were selected through available sampling to form the experimental and control groups. The treatment went for twelve weeks during which the experimental group received 10 weekly quizzes while the control group did not have any quizzes. The study was carried out through a pretest- posttest- delayed posttest control- experimental intact groups. The results, analysed through Mixed Models ANOVA, revealed that both within and between group’s differences were in favour of the experimental group. It is safe to claim that weekly quizzes improve students’ performance on vocabulary and the effect of the treatment is durable.