درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Listening effectively in a foreign language presents many challenges for students. The aims of this convergent mixed methods study were two-fold. First, to determine whether teaching listening strategies through materials tailored to apply principles related to decreasing Cognitive Load (CL) could help learners improve their L2 listening comprehension. Second, whether using such materials could reduce learners' cognitive load. In doing so, two modes of material presentation (computer-based and text-based) were selected. Eighty-eight TEFL bachelor students in three intact classes were randomly assigned to three treatment conditions: Strategy-Based Cognitive-Load-Decreasing Computer-Based Material (SB-CLD-CBM), Strategy-Based Cognitive-Load-Decreasing Text-Based Material (SB-CLD-TBM), and Strategy-Based Non-Cognitive-Load Decreasing Conventional Learning Material (SB-NCLD-CLM), and received relevant instructions. A general proficiency test was used to examine participants' language proficiency. A listening pretest and posttest, a listening achievement test, and a cognitive load questionnaire were used to collect data in the quantitative phase. A reflection paper, including two questions about students' perceptions administered during the treatment, was used to gather qualitative data. The One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) showed that CLD-CBM and CLD-TBM outperformed the NCLD-CLM in listening comprehension and experienced lower cognitive load. However, no significant difference was found between the experimental groups. The findings are valuable for teachers and materials developers, suggesting they should include Cognitive Load Theory principles and strategy instruction when designing learning materials and instructional approaches.

The autonomy of learners (AL) is a concept that is increasingly becoming popular in English Language Teaching (ELT). This study sought to explore the effects of in-service training on the perceptions and practices of Iranian EFL teachers in terms of learner autonomy. The use of mixed methods enabled the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data from the Learner Autonomy Questionnaire (LAQ) (Borg & Al-Busaidi, 2012) as well as classroom observations and semi-structured interviews. Twenty teachers from an Iranian EFL context enrolled in a 30-hour in-service training focusing on autonomy-supportive practices for EFL. The results of quantitative data analyzed through descriptive statistics and repeated-measures ANOVA showed significant differences on teachers’ perceptions (F = 93.57, p = .00, η2= .83) and practices (F = 237.52, p = .00, η2= .92). Thematic qualitative analysis of interviews showed that teachers’ beliefs with regard to learner autonomy became comprehensive and multi-faceted resulting in greater use of reflective practices, goal-setting, and collaborative problem solving. These findings corroborate existing literature, , while also emphasizing the need to incorporate practical training as a component in teacher development programs (TDP) in a bid to transform knowledge into practice within the classroom. These findings are relevant to curriculum development, teacher training, and future learner autonomy research in EFL contexts.