درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

This study examined the impact of auditory input enhancement on the speaking abilities of Iranian EFL learners. Given the importance of speaking in language acquisition and the challenge of limited exposure to spoken English, the study focused on auditory input enhancement—altering intonation and pitch—to improve speaking proficiency. Fifty intermediate-level female learners, aged 18-28, from an English Language institute were selected based on their Oxford Placement Test (OPT) scores. Participants were divided into an experimental group, which received auditory input enhancement, and a control group, which followed traditional methods. Speaking abilities were evaluated with pretests and posttests using the Preliminary English Test (PET). An independent samples t-test analyzed the scores to test the hypothesis. Results indicated a statistically significant improvement in the experimental group's speaking performance compared to the control group, with Cohen's d showing a large effect size. These findings support previous research on input enhancement, underscoring the role of auditory input in focusing learners' attention on linguistic features and enhancing speaking performance. The study suggests that auditory input enhancement could be a valuable tool for EFL teachers and curriculum designers to improve learners' speaking skills.

This study investigated the effects of dialogic tasks on Iranian English as Foreign Language learners' autonomy considering the mediating effects of the learners’ gender and levels of proficiency as well. A total number of 213 male and female Iranian EFL learners within the age range of 15-26 were selected through convenience sampling from three language schools in Fars, Iran. The Oxford Quick Placement Test was run to ensure homogeneity, and choose learners at two levels of proficiency (upper vs. lower intermediate), later assigned to experimental and control groups. Then, a translated version of learner autonomy questionnaire was run as the pretest and posttest. The treatment was dialogic tasks operationalized through storytelling and picture description tasks. Three-way ANCOVA was conducted to compare the autonomy posttest scores of the male and female learners in the two experimental and control groups at the two proficiency levels of lower- and upper-intermediate. The results of data analysis showed that dialogic tasks had a significant effect on increasing the autonomy among EFL learners. Nonetheless, levels of proficiency and gender did not have any significant mediating effects on the autonomy of the learners under investigation. The study will provide robust implications for language teachers and learners.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT) in enhancing empathy and conflict resolution skills among parents of autistic children. This randomized controlled trial included 30 parents of autistic children, divided into an intervention group (n = 15) receiving IRT and a control group (n = 15) receiving no intervention. Participants were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and four months post-intervention using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory (CRSI). Data analysis involved repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests, conducted using SPSS-27. The intervention group showed significant improvements in empathy and conflict resolution scores. Empathy scores increased from 54.78 (SD = 5.32) at baseline to 67.32 (SD = 5.67) post-intervention and were maintained at 65.91 (SD = 5.42) at follow-up. Conflict resolution scores rose from 62.14 (SD = 6.23) to 74.89 (SD = 5.47) post-intervention, with scores at follow-up being 73.28 (SD = 5.63). ANOVA results indicated significant main effects for Time (empathy: F(2, 56) = 45.67, p < 0.001, η² = 0.62; conflict resolution: F(2, 56) = 49.18, p < 0.001, η² = 0.64), Group (empathy: F(1, 28) = 32.78, p < 0.001, η² = 0.54; conflict resolution: F(1, 28) = 35.91, p < 0.001, η² = 0.57), and Time × Group interactions (empathy: F(2, 56) = 41.23, p < 0.001, η² = 0.59; conflict resolution: F(2, 56) = 43.89, p < 0.001, η² = 0.60). Bonferroni post-hoc tests confirmed significant improvements from baseline to post-intervention and baseline to follow-up. IRT significantly enhances empathy and conflict resolution skills in parents of autistic children, with improvements maintained over a four-month period. These findings highlight the potential of IRT as an effective intervention to support parents in managing the challenges of raising children with autism.

The present study examined the comparability of Paper-Based (PB) and Computer-Delivered (CD) IELTS in the academic module reading section, focusing on Iranian IELTS candidates' cognitive and metacognitive strategies. The study intended to determine if the delivery mode had any impact on the use of these strategies. To this aim, 200 upper-intermediate learners were randomly selected and divided into two groups to participate in the study under the two aforementioned test conditions. They completed a test-taking strategy survey under both test conditions. Moreover, five participants from each test condition group took part in think-aloud protocols. The quantitative data were analyzed by means of Independent-sample t-test and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) to test the research hypotheses. Content analysis of the think-aloud protocols was also conducted to identify the strategies employed by the IELTS candidates in both PB and CD formats. The results revealed that the PB group had a significantly higher mean than the CD group on the cognitive and metacognitive processes used in academic IELTS. However, the think-aloud protocols indicated that, in many cases, these differences were minimal, with cognitive and metacognitive processes being similarly employed across both formats. Moreover, significant differences were observed between the PB and CD groups in their reading test-taking strategies. The implications of these findings for test preparation and design are discussed.

     In organizational interactions and communities, professional learning communities have gained more attention from managers due to their sustainable benefits for human resources and organizations, which contribute to growth and development. This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-correlation based on structural equations as a method. The statistical population of the study consisted of all primary school teachers in District Two of Urmia, totaling 1,236 individuals. The sample size was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table, resulting in a selection of 291 individuals. A cluster random sampling method was employed. Data were collected based on four questionnaires: Brown et al.'s (2005) Ethical Leadership Questionnaire, Hu et al.'s (2015) Professional Learning Communities Questionnaire, Eisenberg et al.'s (2001) Normative Commitment Questionnaire, and Jangman et al.'s (2005) Teacher Decision-Making Participation Questionnaire, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.91, 0.91, 0.87, and 0.85, respectively. The validity of these questionnaires was confirmed by experts and through SPSS analysis. Data analysis was conducted using Smart PLS 3 software. The results indicated that ethical leadership has a positive and significant impact on professional learning communities, and normative commitment plays a mediating role in the relationship between ethical leadership and professional learning communities. However, participation in decision-making does not play a moderating role in the relationship between ethical leadership and professional learning communities.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the degree of burnout of elementary school teachers in the cities of Tehran province. In terms of purpose, the research is applied, and in terms of data collection, it is a descriptive survey. The statistical population of the research included elementary school teachers in Tehran province, 1147 of whom were selected as a statistical sample using the multi-stage cluster sampling method. To collect data, Meslach's standardized job burnout questionnaire was used, the content validity of the questionnaires was confirmed by experts and its reliability was estimated based on Cronbach's alpha method of 0.882. Analysis of research data was done in the form of t-test, one-way analysis of variance and t for two independent groups. The findings of the research indicate that the dimensions of emotional exhaustion and personality damage of primary teachers in Tehran cities are at a low/down level in terms of frequency and intensity, and then the feeling of reduced success is at a high/up level in terms of frequency and intensity. In general, the job burnout of elementary teachers in the cities of Tehran province is at a low/down level in terms of frequency and intensity. Therefore, it is suggested to take necessary measures to create a happy and suitable environment for teachers' activities and improve their mental security, along with planning leisure time and advanced methods of dealing with job stressors.