درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Task-based language assessment (TBLA) is a framework for language testing that takes the task as the fundamental unit for assessment and testing. This study was designed to investigate the impact of TBLA on Iranian Male and Female EFL learners’ idiomatic knowledge. To fulfill the objective, 40 learners ranging from 18 to 25 in age and studying at Bayan English Institute in Rasht, Iran, were selected from among 100 participants based on their performance on quick placement test (QPT). The study employed a true-experimental design in which the participants were randomly assigned to two experimental groups and two control groups. First, a pretest of idioms was administered. Then, the experimental groups received a sixteen-session treatment that was the treatment of Task-Based Assessment. Meanwhile, the control groups received a sixteen-session placebo. A posttest of idioms was then administered to all the participants. The use of UNIANOVA revealed that the experimental groups outperformed the control groups in learning idioms. Based on the findings of the present study, all stakeholders, particularly material developers and teachers are proposed to include idioms in language teaching so that remarkable opportunities for improving idiomatic knowledge among learners would be provided.

The article "The Role of Parental Scaffolding in the Language Acquisition of Children with Developmental Delays: A Qualitative Study" was published in error. We removed it when the error was brought to our attention. This study investigates the role of parental scaffolding in supporting language acquisition among children with developmental delays. Qualitative methods were employed to capture in-depth perspectives from 25 caregivers of children aged 3 to 6 years with developmental delays. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data on parental scaffolding practices. Data analysis followed a thematic approach, where transcripts were coded and themes related to responsive interactions, language modeling, and support strategies were identified. The findings underscored the significant impact of parental scaffolding on language acquisition. Responsive interactions, including prompting and encouragement, emerged as crucial in stimulating communication and fostering confidence in children. Caregivers’ effective modeling of language, through descriptive speech and vocabulary expansion, was associated with enhanced linguistic competence. Moreover, structured support strategies such as visual aids and routine establishment facilitated comprehension and communication clarity, mitigating challenges associated with developmental delays. In conclusion, parental scaffolding plays a pivotal role in enhancing language development in children with developmental delays. By adapting support strategies to meet the child’s needs and abilities, caregivers can effectively promote language skills crucial for cognitive, social, and academic growth. These findings underscore the importance of integrating evidence-based scaffolding practices into therapeutic and educational interventions to optimize language outcomes for this vulnerable population.

This study explored the rhetorical strategies employed by Republican and Democratic nominees during the 2024 U.S. presidential campaigns, focusing on the discursive techniques used to appeal to partisan bases and shape voter perceptions. Grounded in Van Dijk’s Ideological Square—a theoretical framework for analyzing how language constructs ideological divides—the research investigated the role of positive self-presentation, negative other-presentation, and the strategic framing of political ideologies in the construction of party identity. A mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative analysis of discourse patterns and qualitative examination of rhetorical strategies, uncovered the distinctive ways each party uses language to reinforce ideological commitments and polarize the electorate. The findings reveal significant differences in how Republicans and Democrats position themselves and their opponents, with Republicans often employing fear-based rhetoric, in-group/out-group distinctions, and a focus on "threat" narratives. In contrast, Democrats tend to emphasize unity, inclusivity, and collective responsibility, though occasionally at the risk of alienating moderates or dissenting voices within their own ranks. The study also highlights the growing role of digital media and algorithm-driven communication, demonstrating how technological platforms have amplified the impact of these rhetorical strategies, especially in the form of targeted misinformation and tailored inclusivity messages. The implications of the study extend to the fields of sociolinguistics, political communication, and media studies, emphasizing how language shapes ideological alignment, reinforces social divisions, and influences democratic processes in the digital age.