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Coalescing digital technologies into education has foregrounded gamified formative assessment (GFA) as a promising modality for advancing second language acquisition (SLA). The current study explored the effects of GFA on the writing proficiency of Iranian EFL learners, focusing on complexity, accuracy, and fluency (CAF). Employing a quasi-experimental design, intermediate and advanced learners were assigned to either gamified or traditional paper-based formative assessment conditions. Writing CAF performance was evaluated by estimating the mean of macro-constructs of complexity, accuracy, and fluency. Writing performance was analyzed using established CAF measures for complexity, accuracy, and fluency, based on widely recognized frameworks. To assess group and proficiency-level effects, key statistical tests, i.e., Friedman, mixed-design ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank, independent samples t-test, and Mann-Whitney U , were applied. The findings disclosed that GFA enhances writing proficiency, with the most substantial gains observed in complexity and fluency. Accuracy improvements, though evident, were more modest and varied by proficiency level: advanced learners improved more in complexity and fluency, whereas intermediate learners showed greater gains in accuracy. These results accentuate GFA’s pedagogical efficacy in fostering engagement, reducing cognitive load, and promoting self-regulated learning in writing instruction, offering crucial insights for language educators, curriculum designers, and digital assessment developers who aim to incorporate innovative, learner-centered assessment strategies.

The field of language assessment, commemorating its 40th anniversary since the launch of language testing, has evolved significantly over the years. This study aimed to investigate the key findings and insights from exploring the role of construct validity in shaping the design of English Language Assessment (ELA) tasks. Additionally, it delved into the challenges encountered in construct validity research studies and the strategies suggested by experts to enhance it. The research team utilized a mixed-method research design for the current study. A total sample size of 37 participants was deployed. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize survey responses using quantitative analysis software (e.g., SPSS). Qualitative data was coded and organized using qualitative analysis software (e.g., NVIVO). Based on the research findings, experts in the current study have proposed strategies, and recommendations for enhancing construct validity. These strategies encompassed the incorporation of contextual factors into assessment design, the promotion of continuous validation research, the diversification of task types, and the active involvement of test-takers in the assessment development process. The findings of this study may render implications for EFL teachers, teacher trainers, and assessment administrators.

Developing a learner’s ability to communicate in a second language is the goal of communicative language teaching (CLT). Many EFL teachers now accept and employ CLT as a teaching method. Although teachers’ views have a significant influence on how they practice CLT, there haven’t been many studies about teachers’ attitudes about CLT in a specific context, such as Iran. This was revealed through a study of related literature. The current study sought to examine how EFL teachers felt about CLT. The first aim of the present study is to ascertain how EFL teachers feel about CLT. Examining the fundamental causes of instructors’ attitudes is the second goal. Thirdly, determining whether there is a disconnect between instructors' perceptions about CLT and their classroom behavior. The researchers employed a mixed-methods strategy in this study. The study included 30 EFL instructors. Three phases made up the research design: firstly, a questionnaire for gathering quantitative data was used, then interviews and observations were used for gathering qualitative data. The findings of this study showed that, in general, EFL teachers had positive attitudes about the CLT’s tenets and exhibited CLT’s traits in their teaching. There was not much of a discrepancy between the teachers’ perceptions about CLT and their actual classroom actions. This study offers valuable insights that can inform curriculum development, teacher training, and policy decisions, ultimately enhancing the quality of English language education in Iran and similar contexts around the world.

This study explores the impact of "EngVid" YouTube channel on improving Iranian EFL Learners' speaking abilities. The program employed in this study provided the learners with video clips for Improving their speaking skills. The participants were forty-eight advanced EFL learners studying English at a private institute in Esfahan. The participants were assigned to experimental and control groups. The YouTube channel "EngVid" is used in this project as a technological tool to enhance students' speaking abilities in the experimental group. The pair-work method was employed in the experimental class. On the other hand, the control group should present at the class and received help from the researcher through the conventional method. After six sessions, a post test was given to experimental and control groups. The application of an independent t-test and paired sample t-test indicated that the performance of the participants exposed to video clips from "EngVid" YouTube channel was significantly superior to that of the control group. The present study offers valuable insights for CALL material designers in selecting the optimal combination of video clips from platforms like YouTube to facilitate L2 speaking skills.

Due to the lack of paralinguistic information, politeness gains a considerable significance in telephone conversations (TCs). The use of politeness strategies can help interlocutors promote and/or maintain social harmony in telephone interactions. Using the Rapport Management Model proposed by Spencer-Oatey (2008), this study intended to primarily investigate the fundamental closing structures of TCs in Persian and English. Furthermore, it examined the effect of two contextual variables and time availability on the closing pattern sand length of TCs. To this aim, 30 English natives, 30 Persian natives, and 30 Persian EFL learners were selected. A Discourse Completion Test (DCT) of 12 scenarios was developed considering contextual variables and time limitation. The obtained results demonstrated that the CPT (closing implicative environment + preclosing + terminal components) closing pattern may not be applicable in every context. Furthermore, telephone conversers change the pattern and length of TC closing part to maintain their rapport based on the aforementioned variables. The findings of the present study can guide the researcher to follow more complete and perfect politeness models.