درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

This study aimed to find the relationship between test-taking strategies, test anxiety, and goal orientations in EFL learners. For this purpose, 150 intermediates Iraqi EFL learners were selected by convenience sampling, and the data was collected using the Test-Taking Strategy Questionnaire, Test Anxiety Inventory, and Achievement Goal Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using multiple regression and the Pearson correlation coefficient. Findings indicated that time and test-wiseness strategies were negatively correlated with test anxiety. Mastery-approach and performance-approach goals were positively correlated with affective strategies; the mastery-avoid goal was negatively correlated with test-wiseness, and the performance-avoid goal was negatively correlated with affective strategies. Finally, performance-avoid and mastery-approach goals were negatively correlated with test anxiety. These results emphasize the understanding of the relationships between test-taking strategies, goal orientations, and test anxiety in academic contexts. By fostering adaptive goal orientations and equipping students with effective test-taking strategies, educators can significantly enhance learners’ testing experiences and reduce anxiety levels.

This study employs a mixed-method approach to investigate Iranian EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers' perspectives on the effectiveness of the current educational program. The participant cohort comprises 40 teachers, ensuring gender parity and a diverse range of educational backgrounds, with 37% holding bachelor's degrees and 63% holding master's degrees. The research reveals that creating a supportive learning environment and tailoring interactions to meet the diverse needs of students is crucial for effective teaching. The findings emphasize the importance of promoting cooperation, critical thinking, and social skills through various pedagogical strategies. These include group work, active participation, and providing constructive feedback, as well as offering targeted academic support. The study highlights that integrating qualitative and quantitative data provides a comprehensive understanding of teaching practices and student progress. This approach allows for a detailed analysis of how different strategies impact learning outcomes. The research underscores the necessity of continuous assessment to monitor student progress and identify areas for improvement. This ongoing evaluation is essential for adapting teaching methods and enhancing the overall effectiveness of English language instruction. By combining different methodological perspectives, the study aims to offer valuable insights into optimizing instructional strategies in Iranian high schools. Ultimately, this study seeks to advance the field of mixed-method research in EFL education, contributing to the improvement of student learning outcomes. By addressing both theoretical and practical aspects of teaching, the research provides a framework for enhancing educational practices and supporting more effective language instruction.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of academic maladjustment on academic procrastination with the mediating role of academic self-handicapping of students of Islamic Azad University of Khash. A descriptive research method of correlation type (structural equation model) was carried out. The statistical population of the study was all students of Islamic Azad University of Khash through simple random sampling method. To collect data, the questionnaires of academic self-handicapping by Jones and Rodlet (1982), academic maladjustment by Hamili, Ahmadi, Mousavi and Ghafourian (2015), and academic procrastination by Solomon and Rothblom (1984) were used. The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed. The reliability of the questionnaires was estimated based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient as 0.91, 0.97 and 0.89, respectively. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed at two levels of descriptive and inferential statistics including Pearson's correlation coefficient test and structural equation model through SPSS23 and LISREL8.8 software. The findings showed that academic maladjustment has a positive and significant effect on students' academic procrastination, both directly and indirectly through the mediation of academic self-disempowerment. To reduce academic procrastination, it is necessary to plan on factors that strengthen academic adjustment and academic self-disempowerment of students.

This quantitative correlational study explored the effects of different types of dynamic assessment on the writing proficiency of Iraqi female EFL learners. Fifty-four upper-intermediate female students, aged 17-25, from the Global English Institute in Baghdad, Iraq, participated in the study. The participants were selected based on their performance in the Oxford Placement Test (OPT) and were subsequently divided into three groups: interactionist experimental, interventionist experimental, and control. The study employed several instruments, including a participation consent form, the OPT, a writing pre-test and post-test, and writing practices administered during the treatment phase. The intervention covered a full semester, with each group receiving tailored instructional strategies. The interactionist group focused on the Dynamic Mediation Process, while the interventionist group employed targeted interventions based on individual needs. The results, analyzed through pre- and post-tests, demonstrated the efficacy of dynamic assessment techniques in enhancing writing skills, suggesting their potential for broader application in EFL contexts.

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Sandplay Therapy in reducing self-handicapping behaviors and improving the quality of life in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 children diagnosed with ASD, who were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 15) receiving Sandplay Therapy or the control group (n = 15) receiving no intervention. The intervention consisted of eight 90-minute sessions conducted over eight weeks. Self-handicapping behaviors were measured using the Self-Handicapping Scale (SHS), and quality of life was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), both of which demonstrated established validity and reliability. Assessments were conducted at pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA, with post-hoc comparisons conducted using the Bonferroni test. The results indicated a significant reduction in self-handicapping behaviors in the experimental group from pre-test (M = 42.85, SD = 4.31) to post-test (M = 31.76, SD = 3.76) and further at follow-up (M = 29.45, SD = 3.45), while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Similarly, quality of life improved significantly in the experimental group, with scores increasing from pre-test (M = 52.12, SD = 5.12) to post-test (M = 63.45, SD = 4.78) and follow-up (M = 67.32, SD = 4.50), whereas the control group remained stable. ANOVA results confirmed significant main effects of time and group, as well as a significant interaction effect (p < 0.05). Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons indicated that improvements were sustained at follow-up. Sandplay Therapy is an effective intervention for reducing self-handicapping behaviors and enhancing the quality of life in children with ASD, with sustained benefits observed at follow-up. These findings highlight the potential of nonverbal, expressive therapies in supporting emotional regulation and adaptive functioning in children with ASD.

Tasks are as useful devices for identifying learners’ needs and thus for designing specific purpose courses. Hence, the present study aimed at examining the viable effects of three varieties of task manipulation, i.e., oral reproduction, role-play, and group discussion, on the accuracy and fluency components of Iranian EFL learners’ oral speech. For the sake of homogeneity of the participants, 60 L1 Persian EFL students were selected through Oxford Placement Test (OPT) and divided into three 20-participant comparison groups: Oral Reproduction Group (ORG), Role-play Group (RPG), and Group Discussion Group (GDG). Each of the three comparison groups was treated just through a single task. ORG, RPG, and GDG were treated by oral reproduction, role-play, and group discussion tasks, respectively. The participants were pretested and posttested by the speaking part of Preliminary English Test (PET). The three groups were exposed to ten sessions of treatment, each of which lasted one hour and thirty minutes. The results of the study, obtained through ANOVA and Post Hoc analyses, revealed that the three types of task manipulation had significant influence on the fluency and accuracy of the participants’ speech. It was also revealed that GDG, treated through group discussion type of task manipulation, outperformed the other groups in terms of accuracy and fluency achievement. Tasks are hence recommended to be used in EFL teaching and testing contexts in that they are assumed to be effective tools to enhance the accuracy and fluency of English learners’ oral speech.

This study aims to explore the psychological and emotional adjustment of parents raising children with intellectual disabilities. This qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews with 26 parents recruited through online platforms. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, ensuring diversity in caregiving experiences. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached, and all interviews were transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software to identify key themes related to parental psychological adjustment, coping mechanisms, and social interactions. The results revealed that parents experienced significant emotional distress upon receiving their child’s diagnosis, including grief, denial, and prolonged sadness. Chronic stress was a recurring theme, with concerns over financial burdens, caregiving demands, and uncertainty about their child’s future contributing to heightened anxiety. Coping strategies varied, with some parents relying on social support networks, religious beliefs, and cognitive reframing, while others struggled with emotional exhaustion and isolation. Family relationships were deeply affected, with some parents reporting marital strain and sibling adjustments, whereas others experienced strengthened familial bonds. Social stigma and external judgment further complicated parental adjustment, with many parents becoming active advocates for disability rights and inclusion. Despite the challenges, many parents reported significant personal growth, emotional resilience, and increased psychological strength over time. The psychological and emotional adjustment of parents raising children with intellectual disabilities is a complex process influenced by stress, coping mechanisms, family dynamics, and social factors. While many parents experience significant distress, those with strong support systems and adaptive strategies demonstrate greater resilience. This study highlights the need for targeted support programs, advocacy efforts, and policy interventions to enhance parental well-being and social inclusion.

Despite the substantial significance of communicative goals in EFL, pragmatic aspects of instruction that are geared towards the learners’ appropriacy still remain less than adequately addressed. Such a niche offers potentials for and stimulates a proliferating body of research. This study aims at examining the effectiveness of explicit vs. implicit pragmatic instruction regarding language performance as output. For the purpose of the study, 120 (60 male and 60 female) EFL learners took part in this project. Error Recognition Tests (ERTs), Discourse Completion Tests (DCTs), role-play, and writing assessments were used for gauging pragmatic output. Two separate 3×2 mixed between-within-subjects factorial ANOVAs were conducted to examine the effects of instruction type, proficiency level, and time (treatment) on pragmatic acquisition. Findings significantly support (a) the overall benefit of pragmatic instruction, (b) the effect of both implicit and explicit instructions with explicit type being more highly influential, (c) the effect of proficiency, and (d) the interaction effect of proficiency and pragmatic instruction on pragmatic language L2 use. Findings bear implications for enriching teaching and learning contexts, deepening theoretical concerns, improving pedagogical practice, and implementing communicative syllabus design. Keywords:

Speaking proficiency is a crucial skill for Iranian EFL learners, yet it remains one of the most challenging aspects of language acquisition due to traditional, teacher-centered instruction and a lack of communicative practice. This study examines the effects of Differentiated Instruction (DI) and Gamification (G) on the Complexity, Accuracy, and Fluency (CAF) of Iranian EFL learners’ speaking skills. A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving 108 B2-level learners from Safir Language Institute, Iran. Participants were divided into three groups: one receiving DI-based instruction, another engaging in Gamification-based tasks, and a control group following conventional teaching methods. The study utilized pre- and post-tests of speaking performance, evaluated through CAF metrics, alongside qualitative interviews to explore learners’ perceptions. Statistical analyses revealed significant improvements in all three dimensions of speaking in the experimental groups, with DI showing greater gains in accuracy and complexity, while G was more effective in enhancing fluency. Qualitative findings indicated that both approaches increased learner engagement, motivation, and confidence. These results suggest that DI and Gamification are effective pedagogical strategies for improving speaking proficiency and should be integrated into EFL curricula to optimize learning outcomes.

In the Iranian academic setting, the current investigation aimed to identify the assessment literacy (AL) components that experienced and novice English for Specific Purposes (ESP) teachers with and without TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) backgrounds comprehended. We designed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study, and selected 100 PhD male and female ESP educators from various branches of Islamic Azad University via criterion sampling in order to complete the teacher assessment literacy scale (TALS). The standard deviation as well as mean of the TALS were computed. The mean scores of the TEFL/non-TEFL and novice/experienced teachers on the seven TALS components were then independently compared using two multivariate analyses of variances (MANOVA). After administering the scale to 100 ESP teachers and analyzing the results, 20 of the instructors were chosen via convenience sampling for observation during the study's qualitative phase. Afterwards, the qualitative information was collected through the use of the observation notes. Employing axial/open coding and content analysis of themes, all of the notes were classified and examined. The results showed that in terms of knowledge of assessment literacy components, instructors with TEFL backgrounds understand much better than teachers without TEFL backgrounds. Similarly, the means of all TALS components were greater for inexperienced teachers than for experienced ones. Furthermore, the results of the qualitative phase demonstrated that the novice TEFL teachers performed AL components more effectively than their non-TEFL counterparts as well as the experienced TEFL/non-TEFL instructors.

In recent years, many educational systems have paid attention to spiritual citizenship education as one of the most fundamental methods of educating responsible citizens. The purpose of the current research was to provide a model of the curriculum of the spiritual citizen in the second secondary school. To serve that end, a qualitative approach and Grounded theory method were used. The participants were selected based on purposive sampling (snowball) method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 21 professors and experts including 12 males and 9 females, aged between 41 and 62, hoding PhD degree with 6 - 25 years of experience, who had valuable experiences and research related to the research topic. The collected data were analyzed in the three main stages of open, axial and selective coding. Interview data analysis revealed five main categories which affect spiritual citizen model; namely, causal factors, underling factors, intervening factors, strategies, and advantages. The findings suggest that the proper implementation of spiritual citizenship education can lead to development of responsible, informed, and accountable citizens in society.

Space and Identity in Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian: A Deleuze and Guattarian Reading Abstract This study explores the intricate relationship between space and identity in Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian, utilizing the geocritical concepts of Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari. By examining his novel, the study investigates how the interaction of smooth and striated spaces shapes and reshapes characters' identities. Through the lens of Deleuze and Guattari, the research highlights the fluidity and dynamism of spaces, focusing on the continuous interplay without rigid distinctions between space and place. As the integration of Deleuze and Guattari’s concepts of the war machine, nomad, and rhizome is essential to understanding the influence of space on characters' identity, this study begins with examining these key concepts. The rhizome concept parallels the non-linear, interconnected narrative structures in McCarthy's work in which the nomadic existence of characters underscores their search for meaning and survival in a world of constant flux. Through detailed analysis, this study aims to uncover the ways in which McCarthy's characters grapple with their identities amidst perpetual change, offering a nuanced understanding of the interplay between space and identity in contemporary literature. Keywords: Cormac McCarthy, Blood Meridian, Deleuze and Guattari's Geocriticism, Space, Identity