Professor Sam Roodi | Fanshawe College (original) (raw)
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Papers by Professor Sam Roodi
Journal of Critical Studies in Language and Literature, 2020
One of the major areas of interest in SLA research is the study of the ways in which expert and n... more One of the major areas of interest in SLA research is the study of the ways in which expert and non-expert readers respond to L2 texts and the fundamental changes that can be brought about in their L2 reading processes through formal instruction. In line with this research tradition, the present quasi-experimental study investigated the effects of formal training in figures of speech on university EFL learners' appreciation of an unseen literary text, Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" in the case of this study. Understanding literature requires knowledge of figures of speech. An experimental group (n=29) and a control group (n=26) of intermediate 3 rd year EFL learners, studying English for a B.A. degree at Kashan University, Iran, participated in the study. The participants were first pre-tested and matched for their level of proficiency in English and their initial reading comprehension ability. In addition to the normal curriculum content, the experimental group received instruction in figures of speech through a course called "Fonun va Sana'at" (Figures of Speech). The control group did not receive this instruction. Both groups were post-tested on their ability to read a literary passage and to appreciate it. The results of t-test analysis of the resulting data revealed significant differences between the means of the two groups. The experimental group that had received instruction in figures of speech significantly outperformed the control group. The findings of the study have practical implications for material development, curriculum planning, teaching English through literature, and second language acquisition.
This study seeks to examine the nexus between the perceptions of 202 adolescent Iranian tradition... more This study seeks to examine the nexus between the perceptions of 202 adolescent Iranian traditional classroom‐based college students of their classroom learning environments conceived as autonomy‐supportive and their self‐regulated learning. Data were gathered through hand‐out questionnaires and passed through Pearson product‐moment correlation and linear stepwise regression analysis. The autonomy supportive classroom perception was found to be positively correlated with self‐ regulated learning strategy use. The results provide corroboration for erstwhile research in traditional classrooms signifying that use of Self‐Regulated Learning (SRL) strategies and motivational beliefs of students about a learning task are associated. Additionally, the findings obtained via regression analyses unveiled that teachers' answering of students' questions and acknowledging confidence were significant positive predictors of students' use of various self‐regulated learning strategies. Further regression analysis unveiled teachers' answering of students' questions as the stronger predictor of self‐regulated learning. Keywords: Classroom learning environment, self‐regulated learning, autonomy support, self‐efficacy, control of learning beliefs Introduction Social cognitive theorists postulate that social experiences of students in learning milieu, particularly their interactions with teachers, can affect their self‐regulated learning (Zimmerman, 1989). Paris and Paris (2001) maintain that the concurrence of a bolstering context and experience, which spontaneously galvanizes autonomy, broadens self‐regulated learning. They identify self‐regulated learning in the triad of the words: the mobilization of autonomy and control by the individuals, steering and regulating their actions toward attainment of the goals.
James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans can be read as an outline for the contact (or cl... more James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans can be read as an outline for the contact (or clash) of many
diverse cultures. This novel may also be seen as a story of the development of American national-racial identity. The
present paper aims at examining Cooper’s classic novel in order to reveal the underlying discourse of race and
nationhood. The paper will discuss Cooper’s idea of historical change and human progress, and will show how the
teleological, stage-by-stage passage of history from savagery to civilization, from tribal communities to a unified
nation, empowered by cultural appropriation, resulted in the formation of a fresh and inevitably hybrid American
national identity
This research was an attempt to address the question how important communication skills are from ... more This research was an attempt to address the question how important communication skills are from the view point of employers and managers. We interviewed many managers in our city, London, Ontario, to find out what managers and employers think about good and poor communication skills. The results show that, according to the managers and employers who took part in this study, both written and oral communication skills are of fundamental importance in the workplace. The ability to communicate well in both written and oral form was said to be an essential skills sought by employers in the hiring process. The employers who were interviewed unanimously agreed that good written and oral communication skills are a great asset and a quality that all their candidates who apply for a job in their companies should possess.
Journal of Critical Studies in Language and Literature, 2020
One of the major areas of interest in SLA research is the study of the ways in which expert and n... more One of the major areas of interest in SLA research is the study of the ways in which expert and non-expert readers respond to L2 texts and the fundamental changes that can be brought about in their L2 reading processes through formal instruction. In line with this research tradition, the present quasi-experimental study investigated the effects of formal training in figures of speech on university EFL learners' appreciation of an unseen literary text, Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" in the case of this study. Understanding literature requires knowledge of figures of speech. An experimental group (n=29) and a control group (n=26) of intermediate 3 rd year EFL learners, studying English for a B.A. degree at Kashan University, Iran, participated in the study. The participants were first pre-tested and matched for their level of proficiency in English and their initial reading comprehension ability. In addition to the normal curriculum content, the experimental group received instruction in figures of speech through a course called "Fonun va Sana'at" (Figures of Speech). The control group did not receive this instruction. Both groups were post-tested on their ability to read a literary passage and to appreciate it. The results of t-test analysis of the resulting data revealed significant differences between the means of the two groups. The experimental group that had received instruction in figures of speech significantly outperformed the control group. The findings of the study have practical implications for material development, curriculum planning, teaching English through literature, and second language acquisition.
This study seeks to examine the nexus between the perceptions of 202 adolescent Iranian tradition... more This study seeks to examine the nexus between the perceptions of 202 adolescent Iranian traditional classroom‐based college students of their classroom learning environments conceived as autonomy‐supportive and their self‐regulated learning. Data were gathered through hand‐out questionnaires and passed through Pearson product‐moment correlation and linear stepwise regression analysis. The autonomy supportive classroom perception was found to be positively correlated with self‐ regulated learning strategy use. The results provide corroboration for erstwhile research in traditional classrooms signifying that use of Self‐Regulated Learning (SRL) strategies and motivational beliefs of students about a learning task are associated. Additionally, the findings obtained via regression analyses unveiled that teachers' answering of students' questions and acknowledging confidence were significant positive predictors of students' use of various self‐regulated learning strategies. Further regression analysis unveiled teachers' answering of students' questions as the stronger predictor of self‐regulated learning. Keywords: Classroom learning environment, self‐regulated learning, autonomy support, self‐efficacy, control of learning beliefs Introduction Social cognitive theorists postulate that social experiences of students in learning milieu, particularly their interactions with teachers, can affect their self‐regulated learning (Zimmerman, 1989). Paris and Paris (2001) maintain that the concurrence of a bolstering context and experience, which spontaneously galvanizes autonomy, broadens self‐regulated learning. They identify self‐regulated learning in the triad of the words: the mobilization of autonomy and control by the individuals, steering and regulating their actions toward attainment of the goals.
James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans can be read as an outline for the contact (or cl... more James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans can be read as an outline for the contact (or clash) of many
diverse cultures. This novel may also be seen as a story of the development of American national-racial identity. The
present paper aims at examining Cooper’s classic novel in order to reveal the underlying discourse of race and
nationhood. The paper will discuss Cooper’s idea of historical change and human progress, and will show how the
teleological, stage-by-stage passage of history from savagery to civilization, from tribal communities to a unified
nation, empowered by cultural appropriation, resulted in the formation of a fresh and inevitably hybrid American
national identity
This research was an attempt to address the question how important communication skills are from ... more This research was an attempt to address the question how important communication skills are from the view point of employers and managers. We interviewed many managers in our city, London, Ontario, to find out what managers and employers think about good and poor communication skills. The results show that, according to the managers and employers who took part in this study, both written and oral communication skills are of fundamental importance in the workplace. The ability to communicate well in both written and oral form was said to be an essential skills sought by employers in the hiring process. The employers who were interviewed unanimously agreed that good written and oral communication skills are a great asset and a quality that all their candidates who apply for a job in their companies should possess.
For the children of Afghanistan
In order to motivate our students who take writing and communication courses at our College, we d... more In order to motivate our students who take writing and communication courses at our College, we decided to interview recruiters and entrepreneurs in the London area about the importance of both written and spoken communication skills in the workplace. We talked to a number of employers about the significance of communication skills for young hires and recruits, and our findings suggest that both oral and written communication skills are considered to be necessary for a successful career. In fact, the employers we interviewed consider communication skills to be a great asset. These skills are highly prized by recruiters and managers, and we think it is important that our students hear this from the employers themselves. Therefore, we produced a video based on these interviews in which managers talk to our students about what they think regarding communication skills in the workplace. (This video can be used for educational purposes only).
In 2022, in my course Global Citizenship, my students and I collaborated with CityStudio and Lond... more In 2022, in my course Global Citizenship, my students and I collaborated with CityStudio and London Environmental Network to promote pollinator gardens in industrial areas in London, Ontario, through publication of pollinator garden guidebooks.
My students' poster presentation on Martin Luther King, Jr.
Activities for teachers who teach fiction.
My student's illustration of the novel Cry Freedom.
Novel Presentation, Part #1, Creative Work
Student Writing
Ghasaq Mi'mar was my student in 1995. She wrote this true story about how Saddam forced her famil... more Ghasaq Mi'mar was my student in 1995. She wrote this true story about how Saddam forced her family into exile and arrested her dad.
Teaching Anne of Green Gables in language classroom
Hemingway's short stories
Teaching literature in language classroom
Fanshawe College Research and Innovation, 2021
Do you want to eat out in London, Ontario? You can choose from many fine dining restaurants. They... more Do you want to eat out in London, Ontario? You can choose from many fine dining restaurants. They vary greatly in appearance, ambience, menu, service, and prices. They have some similarities and differences. This research was conducted by graduate students of Hospitality to help locals and tourists find out which restaurant in London ranks higher in terms of its unique features, customer review, challenges, décor, location, food presentation, marketing strategy, and involvement with community.
University of Sussex, 2004
Translation of Hamid Mossadegh's poem.
Translation of Emily Dickinson's poem
Global Citizenship and Conflict Management, 2024
We live in an era where our lives, economies, and futures are intricately intertwined on a global... more We live in an era where our lives, economies, and futures are intricately intertwined on a global scale. The challenges we face-from climate change to economic disparities-transcend national boundaries, demanding solutions that are equally expansive in scope. As inhabitants of this interconnected world, we bear a shared responsibility to foster peace, uphold human rights, and address the pressing issues that affect us all.
Navigating the Seas of Media, 2024
In the fast-paced, interconnected world of our century, media saturates every aspect of our lives... more In the fast-paced, interconnected world of our century, media saturates every aspect of our lives. From traditional outlets like newspapers and television to the digital realms of social media and online streaming platforms, we are bombarded with messages and information at every turn. In this ocean of media, the ability to navigate and critically analyze the messages we encounter becomes paramount. Welcome to the realm of critical media literacy. Critical media literacy extends beyond traditional notions of literacy, encompassing the ability to evaluate and critique various forms of mass communication and popular culture. It empowers individuals to dissect the relationships between media, audiences, information, and power. As global citizens striving for a more equitable, just, and sustainable world, developing critical media literacy skills is essential. Let's break down the essence of critical media literacy into its core components: critical thinking, media analysis, and global citizenship.
The exploration of untranslatable phrases in English, exemplified by idioms like "It's raining ca... more The exploration of untranslatable phrases in English, exemplified by idioms like "It's raining cats and dogs," offers a fascinating journey into the intricacies of language and culture. As a professor, it becomes imperative to guide students through the challenging yet enriching terrain of idiomatic expressions, where literal translations often lead to absurdities. Idiomatic expressions, deeply rooted in culture and often violating syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic norms, demand a nuanced approach to translation. Recognizing these expressions is
Reflections, 2021
During the past few months, I have been trying to understand and address some of the challenges t... more During the past few months, I have been trying to understand and address some of the challenges that our students are facing in remote contexts because of online learning, and I have concluded that there is one persistent challenge in online learning, and it is learner loneliness. As we get better and better every day at engaging our students, giving them hands-on activities and finding ways to build peer-to-peer relationships, I have been thinking about how to help my students overcome this sense of loneliness and help reduce student dissatisfaction with online learning. Most students have no real face-to-face connection and live between four walls alone, and some are having a difficult time adjusting. Today, I had a class with my students in my Global Citizenship course and wanted to share this experience with you. In our virtual class, we had a break out session, and students introduced themselves, chatted with their peers and me, asked questions, and expressed concerns. The students were very grateful for this opportunity. Despite the fact that we have limited time to deliver course content, I believe these little moments can have a positive impact on our students.
Personal reflection on stereotyping and cross-cultural issues in ESL classrooms.
The combination of an ancient tale and a warning about pride and the impermanence of power makes ... more The combination of an ancient tale and a warning about pride and the impermanence of power makes the poem, “Ozymandias”, a timeless meditation on human history and ambition.
The following essay explores the hardships and social challenges faced by individuals who are wit... more The following essay explores the hardships and social challenges faced by individuals who are without money, illustrating how financial insecurity affects various aspects of life, such as social status, opportunities, and personal well-being. It employs a series of vivid metaphors and concrete examples to emphasize the gravity of living without wealth.
Annotated play by George Bernard Shaw
Annotations, 2024
In this poem, Thomas Hardy poignantly critiques the senselessness of war by capturing the reflect... more In this poem, Thomas Hardy poignantly critiques the senselessness of war by capturing the reflections of an ordinary soldier grappling with the arbitrary nature of his actions. Through the speaker’s casual, repetitive language, Hardy reveals the strained justifications soldiers use to rationalize violence against people they have no personal grievance with. By contrasting the hypothetical friendliness of an inn with the grim reality of the battlefield, Hardy exposes the absurdity of war, where men who could be friends are forced into fatal confrontations. The poem ultimately underscores the tragedy and irony inherent in war, where human connection is eclipsed by duty and ideology, leaving individuals to confront the uncomfortable truths behind their actions.