Curriculum Research

Ever since its introduction, the flipped learning approach has demonstrated promising results in English language teaching. To this end, the goal of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of flipped learning on speaking in two different cooperative and competitive EFL learning settings. To conduct the study, the researchers selected 60 learners through nonrandom convenience sampling and subsequently randomly assigned them into two experimental groups of 30 learners, namely the flipped learning cooperative and the flipped learning competitive groups. Both groups underwent the same flipped learning treatment; the point of departure, however, was the fact that in one group the learners exercised cooperative learning while the other group experienced competitive learning. Prior to the treatment, all 60 learners took a speaking pretest (a sample Preliminary English Test or PET) and after the treatment, a posttest (another sample PET) was administered to them. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was run on the two groups’ scores on the pre- and posttest. The result of the study indicated that the learners sitting in the flipped cooperative group outperformed those in the flipped competitive group. The implications of the findings of this study are elaborated in the paper.

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.

Over the past decades, the use of strategies by language learners has been the subject of considerable research. Yet comparatively few studies have examined the direct effects of strategy instruction on the actual writing strategy use of learners, with specific comparisons involving students at different levels of proficiency. This study examined if focused writing strategy instruction can increase the use of writing strategies by EFL learners. Using a mixed-methods design, 64 undergraduate learners in Iran were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received strategy-based instruction grounded in Oxford’s (1990) framework, while the control group received conventional writing instruction. Data were collected through pre- and post-tests, stimulated recall protocols, and a validated strategy-use questionnaire. Findings from a mixed between-within ANOVA revealed significant time-group- proficiency interactions, indicating that strategy instruction benefited learners differently across proficiency levels. Qualitative analysis further highlighted how learners integrated strategies into their writing practices. The results have implications for tailoring writing instruction to proficiency-specific needs.

Reflective practice is widely recognized as a cornerstone of teacher professional growth and effective classroom teaching. This study investigated its impact on Iranian EFL teachers’ development and their students’ learning outcomes, specifically focusing on engagement and academic achievement. A nine-month longitudinal mixed-methods study was conducted with 30 Iranian EFL teachers (aged 24–50) selected based on snow ball sampling technique and 300 students (mixed gender, aged 12–18, intermediate proficiency) taught by those teachers from Safir Language Academy in Tehran. Teachers engaged in structured reflective activities, including journaling, peer discussions, and guided reflection sessions. Data were collected through reflective journals, semi-structured interviews, and student performance assessments, and were analyzed using thematic analysis and paired samples t -tests. The findings revealed that reflective practice enhanced teachers’ self-awareness and adaptability in instructional strategies, while students of reflective teachers demonstrated higher engagement and improved academic achievement. Barriers such as time constraints and limited institutional support were also identified. Overall, the study highlights the transformative potential of reflective practice in advancing teacher professional development and promoting more effective EFL classrooms in the Iranian context.

Numerous experts have underscored the need of fairness in National Entrance Examination items. This study examines whether examinees' performance on items of the National University Entrance Exam for Foreign Languages (NUEEFL), known as “Konkour,” varies based on background, specifically gender, school type, and ethnicity, rather than language proficiency, as the detection of differential item functioning (DIF) may enhance the fairness of high-stakes tests. The research employed a quantitative non-experimental, cross-sectional design. The participants included 200 male and female students, who were chosen randomly from students studying at Islamic Azad University, Science and Research branch in Tehran, Iran. The instruments consisted of a mock NUEEFL test and a researcher-made questionnaire. Upon taking the participants’ consent, the researcher took the mock version of NUEEFL. Next, the participants were asked to answer the questionnaire about their demographic information, including their gender, school type, and ethnicity. A three-phase DIF analysis was conducted to explore examinees' performance across these demographic variables. The results indicated that school type exhibited the most significant DIF, particularly in grammar and cloze assessments, whereas gender DIF was mostly seen in grammar and language function. Moreover, ethnically differential item functioning was significant in vocabulary and cloze assessments. Furthermore, reading comprehension was mostly impartial, with the exception of school type. The results underscore the need for test developers to consider demographic factors to ensure fairness and validity in high-stakes testing contexts.

In recent years, many educational experts have concluded that game is one of the key elements in learning various skills in children, especially social skills. The aim of the present study was to identify the components of games based on social skill development for preschools in order to design a desirable model. The present study was conducted using a qualitative approach, specifically the grounded theory method. Data were collected through 25 semi-structured interviews with preschool teachers and educators who had valuable experiences related to the research topic using purposive sampling (snowball), and were analyzed in three main stages: open, axial, and selective coding. Interview data analysis revealed five main categories which affect educational games based on social skill development model; namely, causal factors, contextual factors, intervening factors, strategies, and advantages. It is concluded that proper implementation of a game-based social skills curriculum and paying attention to its various elements can lead to a child's physical, mental, and sensory development.