مطالب

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:

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 rise of nature-based travel and ecotourism has brought both intentional and unintentional environmental harm, raising concerns about sustainable practices. This study examines how tourists' prior experiences with nature influence their mental well-being, connection to nature, and adoption of responsible environmental behaviors. Focusing on Iran, a country with rich natural and cultural resources, the research explores mechanisms to promote sustainable ecotourism development. Using a descriptive-survey methodology, data were collected from Iranian ecotourists via questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software. The findings reveal significant relationships: connection to nature positively impacts responsible environmental behavior, as does mental well-being. Prior ecotourism experiences significantly enhance both connection to nature and mental well-being. Mediation analysis shows that the frequency of ecotourism experiences indirectly influences responsible environmental behavior through mental well-being and connection to nature, with no direct significant effect. These results underscore the importance of fostering emotional and psychological ties to nature to encourage sustainable tourism practices. The study highlights the potential for ecotourism to contribute to environmental conservation by enhancing tourists' well-being and ecological awareness, offering valuable insights for sustainable planning in ecotourism destinations.