elnaz shoari - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by elnaz shoari
Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, Feb 19, 2016
Speaking is at the center of second language learning but has been rather overlooked in teaching ... more Speaking is at the center of second language learning but has been rather overlooked in teaching and testing for some reasons. There is no doubt that authentic materials are of significant role in the, overall process of language learning. Thus, the present study aimed at finding the effect of TV commercials on Iranian EFL learners' speaking. Sixty female learners at intermediate level participated in this quasi-experimental study which lasted one academic term. A language PET test was administered before the program for assuring the proficiency level of the participants. The results of the study provided strong supports for the positive effect of TV commercials. The effect can be justified by the authenticity of ads, since ads almost always are designed for native speakers in real contexts of use.
We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each o... more We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each other we don’t use sounds words in isolation, but we exchange message. Thus understanding the intended message is of crucial role in this process. Most of the times we experience serious difficulties in interpreting messages simply as a result of lack of shared information. Discourse analysis or discourse interpretation would be a general term for a number of roads for analyzing “written, spoken, or sign language use, or any significant semiotic occurrence”. In the case of foreign languages, cultural and situational factors are of crucial role in making correct interpretations of the meanings. Thus the current study aimed at examining the effect of cultural/social information on making appropriate interpretations of Iranian EFL learners. Sixty female learners participated in this quasi- experimental study which lasted one academic semester. The results of the study provided strong support for the key role of cultural/ situational information about written discourse in making correct explanations. This can be justified by schema theory, since in the process of understanding having common points is essential.
Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, Oct 17, 2015
Without an adequate understanding of words language users cannot understand others or convey thei... more Without an adequate understanding of words language users cannot understand others or convey their own ideas. It gives us the ability to express our needs in desired manner. Since the inherent role of vocabulary teaching strategies cannot be denied the present study aimed at investigating the effect of ads on L2 vocabulary learning. The design of the study was quasi-experimental and carried out on sixty female EFL learners at elementary level. Cambridge Mover Test was run before the program in order to assure the level of the participants. Afterwards, one pretest on their word-knowledge was administered. When the program was finished one posttest was run on their vocabulary knowledge in order to measure the efficiency of ads. The results of the study revealed that ads had a significant effect on word-acquisition. This might be due to the authenticity of the ads that help learners get new words in context and with real aims.
In the last decade, the field of word acquisition has received great interest. This current inter... more In the last decade, the field of word acquisition has received great interest. This current interest leads to research with realistic attempts for effective L2 vocabulary learning. In order to develop a foreign language, learners have to be able to comprehend what they are hearing and reading. That is, the input is required to be understandable in order for it to be practical and meaningful to the learner and help with acquisition (Krashen, 1982). Thus, the current study tried to investigate the effect of drawing relevant pictures on improving vocabulary recall of language learners. Sixty students participated in this study which lasted for one academic semester. The students were divided into two groups: one experimental group in which learners were taught new vocabulary items through drawing relevant pictures, and one control group whose students were taught the identical items through traditional instruction. At the beginning of the program, the researcher accomplished Cambridge ...
Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 2016
Speaking is at the center of second language learning but has been rather overlooked in teaching ... more Speaking is at the center of second language learning but has been rather overlooked in teaching and testing for some reasons. There is no doubt that authentic materials are of significant role in the, overall process of language learning. Thus, the present study aimed at finding the effect of TV commercials on Iranian EFL learners’ speaking. Sixty female learners at intermediate level participated in this quasi-experimental study which lasted one academic term. A language PET test was administered before the program for assuring the proficiency level of the participants. The results of the study provided strong supports for the positive effect of TV commercials. The effect can be justified by the authenticity of ads, since ads almost always are designed for native speakers in real contexts of use.
Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 2015
We make use of spoken and written words every day to converse and also to convey ideas, thoughts,... more We make use of spoken and written words every day to converse and also to convey ideas, thoughts, and emotions to those who are around us. Occasionally we- as EFL users- communicate fruitfully but sometimes we’re not fairly so successful. The term scaffolding, it was introduced by Wood, Bruner and Ross (1976) in their attempts to provide an operational definition to the concept of teaching in the zone of proximal development (ZPD) (cited in Wells, 1999). Thus, the current study aimed at investigating the effect of verbal scaffolding on improvement of vocabulary learning of Iranian EFL learners. For the sake of solving the issues related to the homogeneousness of the level of the subjects, before starting the program a language proficiency test was administered to 120 learners. Afterwards a pre-test on the participants word knowledge was taken and after the program there was a post-test for both groups in order to measure the effectiveness of the self-regulation strategies. According...
Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 2015
Without an adequate understanding of words language users cannot understand others or convey thei... more Without an adequate understanding of words language users cannot understand others or convey their own ideas. It gives us the ability to express our needs in desired manner. Since the inherent role of vocabulary teaching strategies cannot be denied the present study aimed at investigating the effect of ads on L2 vocabulary learning. The design of the study was quasi-experimental and carried out on sixty female EFL learners at elementary level. Cambridge Mover Test was run before the program in order to assure the level of the participants. Afterwards, one pretest on their word-knowledge was administered. When the program was finished one posttest was run on their vocabulary knowledge in order to measure the efficiency of ads. The results of the study revealed that ads had a significant effect on word-acquisition. This might be due to the authenticity of the ads that help learners get new words in context and with real aims.
We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each o... more We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each other we don’t use sounds words in isolation, but we exchange message. Thus understanding the intended message is of crucial role in this process. Most of the times we experience serious difficulties in interpreting messages simply as a result of lack of shared information. Discourse analysis or discourse interpretation would be a general term for a number of roads for analyzing “written, spoken, or sign language use, or any significant semiotic occurrence”. In the case of foreign languages, cultural and situational factors are of crucial role in making correct interpretations of the meanings. Thus the current study aimed at examining the effect of cultural/social information on making appropriate interpretations of Iranian EFL learners. Sixty female learners participated in this quasi- experimental study which lasted one academic semester. The results of the study provided strong support...
We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each o... more We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each other we don’t use sounds words in isolation, but we exchange message. Thus understanding the intended message is of crucial role in this process. Most of the times we experience serious difficulties in interpreting messages simply as a result of lack of shared information. Discourse analysis or discourse interpretation would be a general term for a number of roads for analyzing “written, spoken, or sign language use, or any significant semiotic occurrence”. In the case of foreign languages, cultural and situational factors are of crucial role in making correct interpretations of the meanings. Thus the current study aimed at examining the effect of cultural/social information on making appropriate interpretations of Iranian EFL learners. Sixty female learners participated in this quasi- experimental study which lasted one academic semester. The results of the study provided strong support...
It is generally recognized that vocabulary is a most vital step in the process of language learni... more It is generally recognized that vocabulary is a most vital step in the process of language learning. The quantity of words someone knows is of great role in this way the more words you know the better you will be able to comprehend what you hear and what you read, and consequently you can write in a more effective manner. Thus, the current study aimed at investigating the effect of diary writing on improving vocabulary learning of Iranian EFL learners. Sixty female learners (at pre-intermediate level) participated in this quasi-experimental study which lasted one academic term and carried out. There were two groups; one as experimental in which the new words were taught through writing diaries, and the other as control in which learned the same words through traditional instruction. A PET test was administered at the beginning of the study to both groups. Afterwards for ensuring the comparability of the learners’ word knowledge-before the program- a pre-test of vocabulary was admini...
This study aimed at investigating the effect of graphic organizer strategy on improving Iranian E... more This study aimed at investigating the effect of graphic organizer strategy on improving Iranian EFL learners' vocabulary learning. Fifty students participated in this study which lasted for one academic semester. The students were divided into two groups: one experimental group in which students were taught new vocabulary items through graphic organizers in form of clusters and pictures, and one control group whose students were taught the same items through traditional instruction. At the beginning of the program, the researchers conducted Cambridge Mover Tests in order to assure the homogeneity of the students' proficiency level. A pretest was subsequently administered on learners' vocabulary knowledge. Then the intervention commenced. At the end of the sessions, one posttest was conducted for measuring effectiveness of the treatment. Then the researchers analyzed the gathered data. Because there were two groups in this study, the researcher used t-test for analysis, p...
Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 2015
In the last decade, the field of word acquisition has received great interest. This current inter... more In the last decade, the field of word acquisition has received great interest. This current interest leads to research with realistic attempts for effective L2 vocabulary learning. In order to develop a foreign language, learners have to be able to comprehend what they are hearing and reading. That is, the input is required to be understandable in order for it to be practical and meaningful to the learner and help with acquisition (Krashen, 1982). Thus, the current study tried to investigate the effect of drawing relevant pictures on improving vocabulary recall of language learners. Sixty students participated in this study which lasted for one academic semester. The students were divided into two groups: one experimental group in which learners were taught new vocabulary items through drawing relevant pictures, and one control group whose students were taught the identical items through traditional instruction. At the beginning of the program, the researcher accomplished Cambridge ...
This study aimed at investigating the effect of graphic organizer strategy on improving Iranian E... more This study aimed at investigating the effect of graphic organizer strategy on improving Iranian EFL learners ’ vocabulary learning. Fifty students participated in this study which lasted for one academic semester. The students were divided into two groups: one experimental group in which students were taught new vocabulary items through graphic organizers in form of clusters and pictures, and one control group whose students were taught the same items through traditional instruction. At the beginning of the program, the researchers conducted Cambridge Mover Tests in order to assure the homogeneity of the students’ proficiency level. A pretest was subsequently administered on learners’ vocabulary knowledge. Then the intervention commenced. At the end of the sessions, one posttest was conducted for measuring effectiveness of the treatment. Then the researchers analyzed the gathered data. Because there were two groups in this study, the researcher used t-test for analysis, paired t-tes...
Iranian Journal of Research in English Language Teaching, 2014
This study aimed at investigating the effect of graphic organizer strategy on improving Iranian E... more This study aimed at investigating the effect of graphic organizer strategy on improving Iranian EFL learners’ vocabulary learning. Fifty students participated in this study which lasted for one academic semester. The students were divided into two groups: one experimental group in which students were taught new vocabulary items through graphic organizers in form of clusters and pictures, and one control group whose students were taught the same items through traditional instruction. At the beginning of the program, the researchers conducted Cambridge Mover Tests in order to assure the homogeneity of the students’ proficiency level. A pretest was subsequently administered on learners’ vocabulary knowledge. Then the intervention commenced. At the end of the sessions, one posttest was conducted for measuring effectiveness of the treatment. Then the researchers analyzed the gathered data. Because there were two groups in this study, the researcher used t-test for analysis, paired t-test...
The place of speaking is the heart of the language learning in general and foreign/second languag... more The place of speaking is the heart of the language learning in general and foreign/second language learning in particular. Thus developing this oral productive skill is of great importance in the process of language learning and particularly in the process of foreign language learning. The more authentic materials of teaching speaking the more successful effective foreign language classes we would have. So the present study aimed at investigating the effect of the story retelling on improving speaking performance of the learners. Sixty female learners have participated in this quasi-experimental study of which lasted one academic semester. The findings of the study provided strong support for the positive effects of story retelling it might be due to the authenticity and attractiveness of the stories. Through reproducing stories learners would be more autonomous and self-directed learners. This might be due to the role of authenticity of materials in language learning processes. Sin...
Iranian Journal of Research in English Language Teaching, Mar 15, 2014
Iranian Journal of Research in English Language Teaching, Mar 15, 2014
We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each o... more We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each other we don't use sounds words in isolation, but we exchange message. Thus understanding the intended message is of crucial role in this process. Most of the times we experience serious difficulties in interpreting messages simply as a result of lack of shared information. Discourse analysis or discourse interpretation would be a general term for a number of roads for analyzing " written, spoken, or sign language use, or any significant semiotic occurrence ". In the case of foreign languages, cultural and situational factors are of crucial role in making correct interpretations of the meanings. Thus the current study aimed at examining the effect of cultural/social information on making appropriate interpretations of Iranian EFL learners. Sixty female learners participated in this quasi-experimental study which lasted one academic semester. The results of the study provided strong support for the key role of cultural/ situational information about written discourse in making correct explanations. This can be justified by schema theory, since in the process of understanding having common points is essential.
Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, Feb 19, 2016
Speaking is at the center of second language learning but has been rather overlooked in teaching ... more Speaking is at the center of second language learning but has been rather overlooked in teaching and testing for some reasons. There is no doubt that authentic materials are of significant role in the, overall process of language learning. Thus, the present study aimed at finding the effect of TV commercials on Iranian EFL learners' speaking. Sixty female learners at intermediate level participated in this quasi-experimental study which lasted one academic term. A language PET test was administered before the program for assuring the proficiency level of the participants. The results of the study provided strong supports for the positive effect of TV commercials. The effect can be justified by the authenticity of ads, since ads almost always are designed for native speakers in real contexts of use.
We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each o... more We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each other we don’t use sounds words in isolation, but we exchange message. Thus understanding the intended message is of crucial role in this process. Most of the times we experience serious difficulties in interpreting messages simply as a result of lack of shared information. Discourse analysis or discourse interpretation would be a general term for a number of roads for analyzing “written, spoken, or sign language use, or any significant semiotic occurrence”. In the case of foreign languages, cultural and situational factors are of crucial role in making correct interpretations of the meanings. Thus the current study aimed at examining the effect of cultural/social information on making appropriate interpretations of Iranian EFL learners. Sixty female learners participated in this quasi- experimental study which lasted one academic semester. The results of the study provided strong support for the key role of cultural/ situational information about written discourse in making correct explanations. This can be justified by schema theory, since in the process of understanding having common points is essential.
Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, Oct 17, 2015
Without an adequate understanding of words language users cannot understand others or convey thei... more Without an adequate understanding of words language users cannot understand others or convey their own ideas. It gives us the ability to express our needs in desired manner. Since the inherent role of vocabulary teaching strategies cannot be denied the present study aimed at investigating the effect of ads on L2 vocabulary learning. The design of the study was quasi-experimental and carried out on sixty female EFL learners at elementary level. Cambridge Mover Test was run before the program in order to assure the level of the participants. Afterwards, one pretest on their word-knowledge was administered. When the program was finished one posttest was run on their vocabulary knowledge in order to measure the efficiency of ads. The results of the study revealed that ads had a significant effect on word-acquisition. This might be due to the authenticity of the ads that help learners get new words in context and with real aims.
In the last decade, the field of word acquisition has received great interest. This current inter... more In the last decade, the field of word acquisition has received great interest. This current interest leads to research with realistic attempts for effective L2 vocabulary learning. In order to develop a foreign language, learners have to be able to comprehend what they are hearing and reading. That is, the input is required to be understandable in order for it to be practical and meaningful to the learner and help with acquisition (Krashen, 1982). Thus, the current study tried to investigate the effect of drawing relevant pictures on improving vocabulary recall of language learners. Sixty students participated in this study which lasted for one academic semester. The students were divided into two groups: one experimental group in which learners were taught new vocabulary items through drawing relevant pictures, and one control group whose students were taught the identical items through traditional instruction. At the beginning of the program, the researcher accomplished Cambridge ...
Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 2016
Speaking is at the center of second language learning but has been rather overlooked in teaching ... more Speaking is at the center of second language learning but has been rather overlooked in teaching and testing for some reasons. There is no doubt that authentic materials are of significant role in the, overall process of language learning. Thus, the present study aimed at finding the effect of TV commercials on Iranian EFL learners’ speaking. Sixty female learners at intermediate level participated in this quasi-experimental study which lasted one academic term. A language PET test was administered before the program for assuring the proficiency level of the participants. The results of the study provided strong supports for the positive effect of TV commercials. The effect can be justified by the authenticity of ads, since ads almost always are designed for native speakers in real contexts of use.
Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 2015
We make use of spoken and written words every day to converse and also to convey ideas, thoughts,... more We make use of spoken and written words every day to converse and also to convey ideas, thoughts, and emotions to those who are around us. Occasionally we- as EFL users- communicate fruitfully but sometimes we’re not fairly so successful. The term scaffolding, it was introduced by Wood, Bruner and Ross (1976) in their attempts to provide an operational definition to the concept of teaching in the zone of proximal development (ZPD) (cited in Wells, 1999). Thus, the current study aimed at investigating the effect of verbal scaffolding on improvement of vocabulary learning of Iranian EFL learners. For the sake of solving the issues related to the homogeneousness of the level of the subjects, before starting the program a language proficiency test was administered to 120 learners. Afterwards a pre-test on the participants word knowledge was taken and after the program there was a post-test for both groups in order to measure the effectiveness of the self-regulation strategies. According...
Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 2015
Without an adequate understanding of words language users cannot understand others or convey thei... more Without an adequate understanding of words language users cannot understand others or convey their own ideas. It gives us the ability to express our needs in desired manner. Since the inherent role of vocabulary teaching strategies cannot be denied the present study aimed at investigating the effect of ads on L2 vocabulary learning. The design of the study was quasi-experimental and carried out on sixty female EFL learners at elementary level. Cambridge Mover Test was run before the program in order to assure the level of the participants. Afterwards, one pretest on their word-knowledge was administered. When the program was finished one posttest was run on their vocabulary knowledge in order to measure the efficiency of ads. The results of the study revealed that ads had a significant effect on word-acquisition. This might be due to the authenticity of the ads that help learners get new words in context and with real aims.
We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each o... more We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each other we don’t use sounds words in isolation, but we exchange message. Thus understanding the intended message is of crucial role in this process. Most of the times we experience serious difficulties in interpreting messages simply as a result of lack of shared information. Discourse analysis or discourse interpretation would be a general term for a number of roads for analyzing “written, spoken, or sign language use, or any significant semiotic occurrence”. In the case of foreign languages, cultural and situational factors are of crucial role in making correct interpretations of the meanings. Thus the current study aimed at examining the effect of cultural/social information on making appropriate interpretations of Iranian EFL learners. Sixty female learners participated in this quasi- experimental study which lasted one academic semester. The results of the study provided strong support...
We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each o... more We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each other we don’t use sounds words in isolation, but we exchange message. Thus understanding the intended message is of crucial role in this process. Most of the times we experience serious difficulties in interpreting messages simply as a result of lack of shared information. Discourse analysis or discourse interpretation would be a general term for a number of roads for analyzing “written, spoken, or sign language use, or any significant semiotic occurrence”. In the case of foreign languages, cultural and situational factors are of crucial role in making correct interpretations of the meanings. Thus the current study aimed at examining the effect of cultural/social information on making appropriate interpretations of Iranian EFL learners. Sixty female learners participated in this quasi- experimental study which lasted one academic semester. The results of the study provided strong support...
It is generally recognized that vocabulary is a most vital step in the process of language learni... more It is generally recognized that vocabulary is a most vital step in the process of language learning. The quantity of words someone knows is of great role in this way the more words you know the better you will be able to comprehend what you hear and what you read, and consequently you can write in a more effective manner. Thus, the current study aimed at investigating the effect of diary writing on improving vocabulary learning of Iranian EFL learners. Sixty female learners (at pre-intermediate level) participated in this quasi-experimental study which lasted one academic term and carried out. There were two groups; one as experimental in which the new words were taught through writing diaries, and the other as control in which learned the same words through traditional instruction. A PET test was administered at the beginning of the study to both groups. Afterwards for ensuring the comparability of the learners’ word knowledge-before the program- a pre-test of vocabulary was admini...
This study aimed at investigating the effect of graphic organizer strategy on improving Iranian E... more This study aimed at investigating the effect of graphic organizer strategy on improving Iranian EFL learners' vocabulary learning. Fifty students participated in this study which lasted for one academic semester. The students were divided into two groups: one experimental group in which students were taught new vocabulary items through graphic organizers in form of clusters and pictures, and one control group whose students were taught the same items through traditional instruction. At the beginning of the program, the researchers conducted Cambridge Mover Tests in order to assure the homogeneity of the students' proficiency level. A pretest was subsequently administered on learners' vocabulary knowledge. Then the intervention commenced. At the end of the sessions, one posttest was conducted for measuring effectiveness of the treatment. Then the researchers analyzed the gathered data. Because there were two groups in this study, the researcher used t-test for analysis, p...
Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 2015
In the last decade, the field of word acquisition has received great interest. This current inter... more In the last decade, the field of word acquisition has received great interest. This current interest leads to research with realistic attempts for effective L2 vocabulary learning. In order to develop a foreign language, learners have to be able to comprehend what they are hearing and reading. That is, the input is required to be understandable in order for it to be practical and meaningful to the learner and help with acquisition (Krashen, 1982). Thus, the current study tried to investigate the effect of drawing relevant pictures on improving vocabulary recall of language learners. Sixty students participated in this study which lasted for one academic semester. The students were divided into two groups: one experimental group in which learners were taught new vocabulary items through drawing relevant pictures, and one control group whose students were taught the identical items through traditional instruction. At the beginning of the program, the researcher accomplished Cambridge ...
This study aimed at investigating the effect of graphic organizer strategy on improving Iranian E... more This study aimed at investigating the effect of graphic organizer strategy on improving Iranian EFL learners ’ vocabulary learning. Fifty students participated in this study which lasted for one academic semester. The students were divided into two groups: one experimental group in which students were taught new vocabulary items through graphic organizers in form of clusters and pictures, and one control group whose students were taught the same items through traditional instruction. At the beginning of the program, the researchers conducted Cambridge Mover Tests in order to assure the homogeneity of the students’ proficiency level. A pretest was subsequently administered on learners’ vocabulary knowledge. Then the intervention commenced. At the end of the sessions, one posttest was conducted for measuring effectiveness of the treatment. Then the researchers analyzed the gathered data. Because there were two groups in this study, the researcher used t-test for analysis, paired t-tes...
Iranian Journal of Research in English Language Teaching, 2014
This study aimed at investigating the effect of graphic organizer strategy on improving Iranian E... more This study aimed at investigating the effect of graphic organizer strategy on improving Iranian EFL learners’ vocabulary learning. Fifty students participated in this study which lasted for one academic semester. The students were divided into two groups: one experimental group in which students were taught new vocabulary items through graphic organizers in form of clusters and pictures, and one control group whose students were taught the same items through traditional instruction. At the beginning of the program, the researchers conducted Cambridge Mover Tests in order to assure the homogeneity of the students’ proficiency level. A pretest was subsequently administered on learners’ vocabulary knowledge. Then the intervention commenced. At the end of the sessions, one posttest was conducted for measuring effectiveness of the treatment. Then the researchers analyzed the gathered data. Because there were two groups in this study, the researcher used t-test for analysis, paired t-test...
The place of speaking is the heart of the language learning in general and foreign/second languag... more The place of speaking is the heart of the language learning in general and foreign/second language learning in particular. Thus developing this oral productive skill is of great importance in the process of language learning and particularly in the process of foreign language learning. The more authentic materials of teaching speaking the more successful effective foreign language classes we would have. So the present study aimed at investigating the effect of the story retelling on improving speaking performance of the learners. Sixty female learners have participated in this quasi-experimental study of which lasted one academic semester. The findings of the study provided strong support for the positive effects of story retelling it might be due to the authenticity and attractiveness of the stories. Through reproducing stories learners would be more autonomous and self-directed learners. This might be due to the role of authenticity of materials in language learning processes. Sin...
Iranian Journal of Research in English Language Teaching, Mar 15, 2014
Iranian Journal of Research in English Language Teaching, Mar 15, 2014
We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each o... more We live and are in touch with the world around us through using language, while talking to each other we don't use sounds words in isolation, but we exchange message. Thus understanding the intended message is of crucial role in this process. Most of the times we experience serious difficulties in interpreting messages simply as a result of lack of shared information. Discourse analysis or discourse interpretation would be a general term for a number of roads for analyzing " written, spoken, or sign language use, or any significant semiotic occurrence ". In the case of foreign languages, cultural and situational factors are of crucial role in making correct interpretations of the meanings. Thus the current study aimed at examining the effect of cultural/social information on making appropriate interpretations of Iranian EFL learners. Sixty female learners participated in this quasi-experimental study which lasted one academic semester. The results of the study provided strong support for the key role of cultural/ situational information about written discourse in making correct explanations. This can be justified by schema theory, since in the process of understanding having common points is essential.