Masoud Mahmoodi-Shahrebabaki | University of California, Irvine (original) (raw)

Papers by Masoud Mahmoodi-Shahrebabaki

Modern and forward-looking approaches to education and learning no longer treat learners as passi... more Modern and forward-looking approaches to education and learning no longer treat learners as passive recipients of knowledge. Rather, they claim to nurture self-monitored and self-disciplined thinkers who are shown to be academically successful and promising. This qualitative case study aimed at exploring the teachers' and learners' attitudes towards<br>critical thinking within the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context of Iran. To this end, the attitudes of eighty Iranian EFL learners and their teacher towards inclusion of critical thinking exercises into their regular syllabus were gauged. The results obtained from 18 unstructured interviews indicated that teacher's and learners' responses were diametrically opposed; while learners' performance improved and they became more motivated, the teacher reported distress and dissatisfaction with the new approach to the syllabus. Thematic Content Analyses (TCA) and language skills tests also revealed that the...

Language teachers have always been concerned about the paucity of efficient methods of language i... more Language teachers have always been concerned about the paucity of efficient methods of language instruction in education systems. Consequently, the language teaching pendulum is swinging from methods to post-method era. Post-method is not a new language approach; rather, it is a theory pursuing reforms in language teaching praxis. The aim of the present paper is twofold: to present some of the emerging language teaching methods and techniques plus reviewing some of the less attended language teaching approaches and theories. The paper is drawn to a close by the discussion of Principled Eclecticism, which is considered to be at the heart of Post-methods debate.

The current paper aims to provide a historical overview of the dyslexia therapy and research. Cur... more The current paper aims to provide a historical overview of the dyslexia therapy and research. Currently, dyslexia research is an interdisciplinary endeavor encompassing a wide array of subjects including neurology, education, psychology, and linguistics. However, under the<br>influence of the concurrent literary, educational and psychological trends in different eras, different fields have provided unique insights into the nature of reading difficulties. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the current trends in the dyslexia research. <br>

The growth of video gaming popularity has traversed the entertaining area and is finding its plac... more The growth of video gaming popularity has traversed the entertaining area and is finding its place in the educational arena as well. The educational potentials of video games have prompted literacy practitioners and researchers to embark on using video games for the purpose of increasing the quality and productivity of literacy education. The current theoretical article reviews the latest theories and research findings related to the general use of video games in education with an eye towards the literacy instruction in particular. The material selected for this systematic review consisted of both theoretical and empirical articles about the use of video games in learning and teaching of literacy in the educational contexts. Even though there is tangible evidence as to the positive effects of digital games on studentsìearning, there is still a dearth of converging evidence as to the practical benefits of inclusion of video games in literacy education. The available evidence are mostly the results of correlational studies, and we still need a connected research stream in pursuit of finding the predictive potentials of the video gaming in literacy instruction.

Language teachers have always been concerned about the paucity of efficient methods of language i... more Language teachers have always been concerned about the paucity of efficient methods of language instruction in education systems. Consequently, the language teaching pendulum is swinging from methods to post-method era. Post-method is not a new language approach; rather, it is a theory pursuing reforms in language teaching praxis. The aim of the present paper is twofold: to present some of the emerging language teaching methods and techniques plus reviewing some of the less attended language teaching approaches and theories. The paper is drawn to a close by the discussion of Principled Eclecticism, which is considered to be at the heart of Post-methods debate.

Without having efficient command of idiom comprehension and use, the natural flow of speaking and... more Without having efficient command of idiom comprehension and use, the natural flow of speaking and listening processes in a language are impaired. Given the salience of teaching idioms effectively and the challenges language teachers normally grapple with in doing so, finding functional techniques to teach idioms have been the central focus of many studies after the emergence of post-method era. The present study aims to explore the attitude of 40 Iranian EFL learners and teachers towards the use of movie clips as a new method of English idioms instruction. As a mixed-method study, interviews and questionnaires were both used to gauge the attitude of 30 EFL learners and 10 EFL teachers. The results revealed that both groups have a strong positive attitude towards the use of movie clips as a new method of English idioms instruction. The findings of this study bear implications for both language teaching practitioners and syllabus designers.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of language teachers' time management and crea... more The present study aimed to investigate the effects of language teachers' time management and creativity skills on their burnout levels. The sample consisted of 213 Iranian language teachers. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Creative Behavior Inventory (CBI) and Time Management Skills Questionnaire (TMSQ) were employed for data collection. By taking a Structural Equation Modeling approach, the study proposed a model that explored the direct effects of teacher creativity on burnout level of language teachers. Additionally, the study investigated the mediating role of time management skills on the correlations between teacher creativity and burnout levels. The results revealed that the total effects of creativity on all aspects of burnout dimensions were significant; however, after the intervention of time management as a variable, the effect of depersonalization proved insignificant; and, although still significant, for the other two subscales of burnout (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization), the effect markedly decreased. Therefore, the mediation role of time management was rejected.


The present study examines the relationships between language learners`Spiritual Intelligence, Ac... more The present study examines the relationships between language learners`Spiritual Intelligence, Achievement Motivation and Foreign Language Attitude. The sample consists of 223 Iranian advanced English language learners. The data were collected by use of Spiritual Intelligence Self-report Inventory, Foreign Language Attitude Scale and Achievement Motivation Questionnaire. Two hypothetical models were proposed for mediation analysis by means of structural equation modeling. The results revealed that foreign language attitude mediates the causal correlations between Spiritual Intelligence and Achievement Motivation. For the second model, however, the intervening effect of Achievement Motivation on the causal paths from Spiritual Intelligence to Foreign Language Attitude was not supported based on the analysis of effects. The results provide new insights and can pave the way for further investigation of the associations between Spiritual Intelligence and other individual differences of language learners.

Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, 2016

The results of a substantial body of research affirm that the number of teachers leaving their jo... more The results of a substantial body of research affirm that the number of teachers leaving their jobs is on the increase and the evidence is strong that the most credible explanation for the attrition is the emotional nature of the profession. The present study aimed to explore the intervening effect of EFL teachers’ anxiety on the correlations between their perfectionism and burnout levels. The participants were 276 Iranian EFL teachers. The data were analyzed by means of structural equation modeling. The findings revealed that, compared to other dimensions of burnout, depersonalization was more significantly affected by both direct and indirect effects of perfectionism. Moreover, the statistically insignificant direct associations between perfectionism and emotional exhaustion became significant due to the intervening impact of anxiety. The results of mediation analysis also confirmed the mediator role of anxiety. The results corroborate prior researches and offer illuminating insights into the mental health of teachers.

Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research

Modern and forward-looking approaches to education and learning no longer treat learners as passi... more Modern and forward-looking approaches to education and learning no longer treat learners as passive recipients of knowledge. Rather, they claim to nurture self-monitored and self-disciplined thinkers who are shown to be academically successful and promising. This qualitative case study aimed at exploring the teachers' and learners' attitudes towards critical thinking within the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context of Iran. To this end, the attitudes of eighty Iranian EFL learners and their teacher towards inclusion of critical thinking exercises into their regular syllabus were gauged. The results obtained from 18 unstructured interviews indicated that teacher's and learners' responses were diametrically opposed; while learners' performance improved and they became more motivated, the teacher reported distress and dissatisfaction with the new approach to the syllabus. Thematic Content Analyses (TCA) and language skills tests also revealed that the L2 readi...

In order to meet the reading needs of English as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) learners, educators are... more In order to meet the reading needs of English as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) learners, educators are urged to develop effective instructional means for teaching reading comprehension and reading strategy use. Although studies on foreign language reading strategies are burgeoning in the realm of language acquisition research, recent interest has spotlighted learners’ metacognitive awareness of strategies. This study investigated the effect of metacognitive strategy training on the reading comprehension of 111 intermediate EFL learners. The participants received five sessions of instruction on metacognitive strategies guided by the blueprints of Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA). The results of t-test, and two-ways analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that there was a significant positive relationship between the students' metacognitive reading strategy use and their reading comprehension performance. There was also a significant positive relationship between the use of CALLA and the students' reading comprehension performance.

Presently, the modernist theory of education is losing its momentum and is superseded by the so-... more Presently, the modernist theory of education is losing its
momentum and is superseded by the so-called omnipotent postmodernist theories, which, speciously, claim that have proffered solutions to all educational enigmas. Although the postmodernist educational theory is in its ascendancy, especially in the Western world, the tenets of postmodern educational theories, with their over-permissive and desultory blueprints, are not without obvious pitfalls. I argue that, today, with the rapid circulation of information and sweeping transformations in the nature of education-job interactions, we have passed the postmodern era and stepped into a new era called hyper-modernism. Hence, I remind the necessity of formation of syncretism in our educational theorization and I explain that it has to be built upon a proactionary approach since we are, if not within already, one verge of Hyper-modernization.

International Journal of Applied Linguistic Studies, Mar 25, 2015

Language teachers have always been concerned about the paucity of efficient methods of language i... more Language teachers have always been concerned about the paucity of efficient methods of language instruction in education systems. Consequently, the language teaching pendulum is swinging from methods to post-method era. Post-method is not a new language approach; rather, it is a theory pursuing reforms in language teaching praxis. The aim of the present paper is twofold: to present some of the emerging language teaching methods and techniques plus reviewing some of the less attended language teaching approaches and
theories. The paper is drawn to a close by the discussion of Principled Eclecticism, which is considered to be at the heart of Post-methods debate.


Interest in language teacher reflection has grown massively after the emergence of postmethod era... more Interest in language teacher reflection has grown massively after the emergence of postmethod era. This study aims to explore the potential associations between teacher reflectiveness and experience among EFL teachers. To this end, a standard English Language Teaching Reflection Inventory (ELTRI) was employed to measure the reflectiveness of 179
English language teachers. The results revealed that there is a negative correlation between teaching experience of teachers and their reflectiveness that is aligned with the tacit claims of
Cognitive Consistency Theories, specifically Congruity Theory. It is suggested that as teachers grow more experienced, they tend to become more stabilized in their instructional praxis.
The findings of this study bear important implications for those who are in the realm of teaching in general and language teaching in particular.

This study aimed at recognizing sources of emotional problems of nine English language teachers a... more This study aimed at recognizing sources of emotional problems of nine English language teachers and proposing strategies to obviate the potential contributors. Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was administered to 105 language teachers. Among those with very high scores on emotional exhaustion subscale of the inventory, nine were chosen on account of convenience sampling. More than eight hours of unstructured interviews with the participants were recorded and transcribed. First, Thematic Content Analysis (TCA) was used to extract
the recurring themes. Second, Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was utilized to reveal the loci of attribution with emotionally exhausted language teachers. The result
indicated that agents of attribution are mainly external to the teachers with underpayment as the top contributor. The linkages of the findings with the related literature are discussed and potential preventive strategies are suggested aligned with the results of this study and others in the literature. This study can help educational policymakers, administrators and teacher
training programmers to understand the emotional problems of language teachers in particular and teachers in all disciplines in general and plan to prevent further repercussions.

Modern and forward-looking approaches to education and learning no longer treat learners as passi... more Modern and forward-looking approaches to education and learning no longer treat learners as passive recipients of knowledge. Rather, they claim to nurture self-monitored and self-disciplined thinkers who are shown to be academically successful and promising. This qualitative case study aimed at exploring the teachers’ and learners’ attitudes towards critical thinking within the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context of Iran. To this end, the attitudes of eighty Iranian EFL learners and their teacher towards inclusion of critical thinking exercises into their regular syllabus were gauged. The results obtained from 18 unstructured interviews indicated that teacher’s and learners’ responses were diametrically opposed; while learners’ performance improved and they became more motivated, the
teacher reported distress and dissatisfaction with the new approach to the syllabus. Thematic Content Analyses (TCA) and language skills tests also revealed that the L2 reading comprehension ability of learners benefited more than other skills. Other context-based factors and implications are discussed.


The growing attention to teachers` emotion has been in line with the new necessities of modern li... more The growing attention to teachers` emotion has been in line with the new necessities of modern life and has been
considered as a leading exponent of fast-changing educational settings through the clarification of the new personal
accountabilities. This unique study endeavored to compare levels of anxiety, depression, life satisfaction, job
satisfaction and life pleasure between teachers in humanities, formal sciences and natural sciences. More than 720
teachers across 14 different academic disciplines were compared and contrasted based upon the result of the
following standard psychological tests: Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Diener`s
Satisfaction with Life Scale, Brayfield-Rothe Index of Job Satisfaction and Goldberg Depression Scale. The results
were enlightening as the humanist teachers` psychological well-being was conspicuously superior to their
counterparts in natural and formal sciences. Being that said, the result can broaden the horizon of educational
researchers whose work revolves around emotionality of teachers as well as educational planners and programmers
to consider the implications in their teacher training programs.

Because idioms are ubiquitous in the authentic language to which learners are exposed, learners o... more Because idioms are ubiquitous in the authentic language to which learners are exposed, learners of a second or
foreign language need to possess a good command of idioms and proficiency in idiom use to be able to comprehend
and produce language effectively. A considerable body of research has sought ways to optimize learning and
teaching of idioms. The present study aimed at investigating the effect of using movie clips containing idioms, as
one method of teaching, on the quality of 60 intermediate EFL pupils’ idiom learning. Oxford Placement Test (OPT)
was implemented to ensure homogeneity of learners in proficiency. All the groups were given two standard idiom
multiple-choice tests, one as the pre-test and the other one as the post-test. In the experimental group, idioms were
taught by displaying movie clips containing the idioms, while the control group followed the traditional class
activities using synonyms and antonyms. The results of both Scheffe Dependent variable Post-test and paired sample
t-test revealed that the participants in the movie clips group had better performance in post-test than in pre-test. This
study has theoretical as well as pedagogical implications in the fields of second/ foreign language teaching and
learning which are discussed.

Self-directed learning (SDL) has recently gathered momentum among EFL/ESL researchers. ... more Self-directed learning (SDL) has recently gathered momentum among EFL/ESL researchers. Within
the SDL framework, learners are responsible to monitor and evaluate their own learning. Student selfassessment can play a crucial role in helping learners become more dedicated and motivated. This
study aimed at examining the role of filling out self-assessment checklists by 115 Iranian EFL learners
over three successive semesters with reference to the role of gender and level of proficiency. Three
classes filled out a standard weekly self-evaluation checklist while three corresponding classes passed
the same courses simultaneously without filling out any checklist. The result showed that there is not a
significant difference between the final score of the control group and the treatment group as a whole.
However, individual analysis of mean score of parallel classes showed that there is a significant
difference between the mean score of learners in third semester as the group filling out the checklist
scored significantly higher than those who did not. Individual analysis of mean score of third groups
also showed a significant difference between the mean score of females and males as female learners
earned higher scores; however, overall score of learners did not show any significant difference
considering gender factor. In conclusion the implications of the present study are discussed.

Modern and forward-looking approaches to education and learning no longer treat learners as passi... more Modern and forward-looking approaches to education and learning no longer treat learners as passive recipients of knowledge. Rather, they claim to nurture self-monitored and self-disciplined thinkers who are shown to be academically successful and promising. This qualitative case study aimed at exploring the teachers' and learners' attitudes towards<br>critical thinking within the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context of Iran. To this end, the attitudes of eighty Iranian EFL learners and their teacher towards inclusion of critical thinking exercises into their regular syllabus were gauged. The results obtained from 18 unstructured interviews indicated that teacher's and learners' responses were diametrically opposed; while learners' performance improved and they became more motivated, the teacher reported distress and dissatisfaction with the new approach to the syllabus. Thematic Content Analyses (TCA) and language skills tests also revealed that the...

Language teachers have always been concerned about the paucity of efficient methods of language i... more Language teachers have always been concerned about the paucity of efficient methods of language instruction in education systems. Consequently, the language teaching pendulum is swinging from methods to post-method era. Post-method is not a new language approach; rather, it is a theory pursuing reforms in language teaching praxis. The aim of the present paper is twofold: to present some of the emerging language teaching methods and techniques plus reviewing some of the less attended language teaching approaches and theories. The paper is drawn to a close by the discussion of Principled Eclecticism, which is considered to be at the heart of Post-methods debate.

The current paper aims to provide a historical overview of the dyslexia therapy and research. Cur... more The current paper aims to provide a historical overview of the dyslexia therapy and research. Currently, dyslexia research is an interdisciplinary endeavor encompassing a wide array of subjects including neurology, education, psychology, and linguistics. However, under the<br>influence of the concurrent literary, educational and psychological trends in different eras, different fields have provided unique insights into the nature of reading difficulties. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the current trends in the dyslexia research. <br>

The growth of video gaming popularity has traversed the entertaining area and is finding its plac... more The growth of video gaming popularity has traversed the entertaining area and is finding its place in the educational arena as well. The educational potentials of video games have prompted literacy practitioners and researchers to embark on using video games for the purpose of increasing the quality and productivity of literacy education. The current theoretical article reviews the latest theories and research findings related to the general use of video games in education with an eye towards the literacy instruction in particular. The material selected for this systematic review consisted of both theoretical and empirical articles about the use of video games in learning and teaching of literacy in the educational contexts. Even though there is tangible evidence as to the positive effects of digital games on studentsìearning, there is still a dearth of converging evidence as to the practical benefits of inclusion of video games in literacy education. The available evidence are mostly the results of correlational studies, and we still need a connected research stream in pursuit of finding the predictive potentials of the video gaming in literacy instruction.

Language teachers have always been concerned about the paucity of efficient methods of language i... more Language teachers have always been concerned about the paucity of efficient methods of language instruction in education systems. Consequently, the language teaching pendulum is swinging from methods to post-method era. Post-method is not a new language approach; rather, it is a theory pursuing reforms in language teaching praxis. The aim of the present paper is twofold: to present some of the emerging language teaching methods and techniques plus reviewing some of the less attended language teaching approaches and theories. The paper is drawn to a close by the discussion of Principled Eclecticism, which is considered to be at the heart of Post-methods debate.

Without having efficient command of idiom comprehension and use, the natural flow of speaking and... more Without having efficient command of idiom comprehension and use, the natural flow of speaking and listening processes in a language are impaired. Given the salience of teaching idioms effectively and the challenges language teachers normally grapple with in doing so, finding functional techniques to teach idioms have been the central focus of many studies after the emergence of post-method era. The present study aims to explore the attitude of 40 Iranian EFL learners and teachers towards the use of movie clips as a new method of English idioms instruction. As a mixed-method study, interviews and questionnaires were both used to gauge the attitude of 30 EFL learners and 10 EFL teachers. The results revealed that both groups have a strong positive attitude towards the use of movie clips as a new method of English idioms instruction. The findings of this study bear implications for both language teaching practitioners and syllabus designers.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of language teachers' time management and crea... more The present study aimed to investigate the effects of language teachers' time management and creativity skills on their burnout levels. The sample consisted of 213 Iranian language teachers. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Creative Behavior Inventory (CBI) and Time Management Skills Questionnaire (TMSQ) were employed for data collection. By taking a Structural Equation Modeling approach, the study proposed a model that explored the direct effects of teacher creativity on burnout level of language teachers. Additionally, the study investigated the mediating role of time management skills on the correlations between teacher creativity and burnout levels. The results revealed that the total effects of creativity on all aspects of burnout dimensions were significant; however, after the intervention of time management as a variable, the effect of depersonalization proved insignificant; and, although still significant, for the other two subscales of burnout (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization), the effect markedly decreased. Therefore, the mediation role of time management was rejected.


The present study examines the relationships between language learners`Spiritual Intelligence, Ac... more The present study examines the relationships between language learners`Spiritual Intelligence, Achievement Motivation and Foreign Language Attitude. The sample consists of 223 Iranian advanced English language learners. The data were collected by use of Spiritual Intelligence Self-report Inventory, Foreign Language Attitude Scale and Achievement Motivation Questionnaire. Two hypothetical models were proposed for mediation analysis by means of structural equation modeling. The results revealed that foreign language attitude mediates the causal correlations between Spiritual Intelligence and Achievement Motivation. For the second model, however, the intervening effect of Achievement Motivation on the causal paths from Spiritual Intelligence to Foreign Language Attitude was not supported based on the analysis of effects. The results provide new insights and can pave the way for further investigation of the associations between Spiritual Intelligence and other individual differences of language learners.

Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, 2016

The results of a substantial body of research affirm that the number of teachers leaving their jo... more The results of a substantial body of research affirm that the number of teachers leaving their jobs is on the increase and the evidence is strong that the most credible explanation for the attrition is the emotional nature of the profession. The present study aimed to explore the intervening effect of EFL teachers’ anxiety on the correlations between their perfectionism and burnout levels. The participants were 276 Iranian EFL teachers. The data were analyzed by means of structural equation modeling. The findings revealed that, compared to other dimensions of burnout, depersonalization was more significantly affected by both direct and indirect effects of perfectionism. Moreover, the statistically insignificant direct associations between perfectionism and emotional exhaustion became significant due to the intervening impact of anxiety. The results of mediation analysis also confirmed the mediator role of anxiety. The results corroborate prior researches and offer illuminating insights into the mental health of teachers.

Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research

Modern and forward-looking approaches to education and learning no longer treat learners as passi... more Modern and forward-looking approaches to education and learning no longer treat learners as passive recipients of knowledge. Rather, they claim to nurture self-monitored and self-disciplined thinkers who are shown to be academically successful and promising. This qualitative case study aimed at exploring the teachers' and learners' attitudes towards critical thinking within the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context of Iran. To this end, the attitudes of eighty Iranian EFL learners and their teacher towards inclusion of critical thinking exercises into their regular syllabus were gauged. The results obtained from 18 unstructured interviews indicated that teacher's and learners' responses were diametrically opposed; while learners' performance improved and they became more motivated, the teacher reported distress and dissatisfaction with the new approach to the syllabus. Thematic Content Analyses (TCA) and language skills tests also revealed that the L2 readi...

In order to meet the reading needs of English as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) learners, educators are... more In order to meet the reading needs of English as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) learners, educators are urged to develop effective instructional means for teaching reading comprehension and reading strategy use. Although studies on foreign language reading strategies are burgeoning in the realm of language acquisition research, recent interest has spotlighted learners’ metacognitive awareness of strategies. This study investigated the effect of metacognitive strategy training on the reading comprehension of 111 intermediate EFL learners. The participants received five sessions of instruction on metacognitive strategies guided by the blueprints of Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA). The results of t-test, and two-ways analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that there was a significant positive relationship between the students' metacognitive reading strategy use and their reading comprehension performance. There was also a significant positive relationship between the use of CALLA and the students' reading comprehension performance.

Presently, the modernist theory of education is losing its momentum and is superseded by the so-... more Presently, the modernist theory of education is losing its
momentum and is superseded by the so-called omnipotent postmodernist theories, which, speciously, claim that have proffered solutions to all educational enigmas. Although the postmodernist educational theory is in its ascendancy, especially in the Western world, the tenets of postmodern educational theories, with their over-permissive and desultory blueprints, are not without obvious pitfalls. I argue that, today, with the rapid circulation of information and sweeping transformations in the nature of education-job interactions, we have passed the postmodern era and stepped into a new era called hyper-modernism. Hence, I remind the necessity of formation of syncretism in our educational theorization and I explain that it has to be built upon a proactionary approach since we are, if not within already, one verge of Hyper-modernization.

International Journal of Applied Linguistic Studies, Mar 25, 2015

Language teachers have always been concerned about the paucity of efficient methods of language i... more Language teachers have always been concerned about the paucity of efficient methods of language instruction in education systems. Consequently, the language teaching pendulum is swinging from methods to post-method era. Post-method is not a new language approach; rather, it is a theory pursuing reforms in language teaching praxis. The aim of the present paper is twofold: to present some of the emerging language teaching methods and techniques plus reviewing some of the less attended language teaching approaches and
theories. The paper is drawn to a close by the discussion of Principled Eclecticism, which is considered to be at the heart of Post-methods debate.


Interest in language teacher reflection has grown massively after the emergence of postmethod era... more Interest in language teacher reflection has grown massively after the emergence of postmethod era. This study aims to explore the potential associations between teacher reflectiveness and experience among EFL teachers. To this end, a standard English Language Teaching Reflection Inventory (ELTRI) was employed to measure the reflectiveness of 179
English language teachers. The results revealed that there is a negative correlation between teaching experience of teachers and their reflectiveness that is aligned with the tacit claims of
Cognitive Consistency Theories, specifically Congruity Theory. It is suggested that as teachers grow more experienced, they tend to become more stabilized in their instructional praxis.
The findings of this study bear important implications for those who are in the realm of teaching in general and language teaching in particular.

This study aimed at recognizing sources of emotional problems of nine English language teachers a... more This study aimed at recognizing sources of emotional problems of nine English language teachers and proposing strategies to obviate the potential contributors. Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was administered to 105 language teachers. Among those with very high scores on emotional exhaustion subscale of the inventory, nine were chosen on account of convenience sampling. More than eight hours of unstructured interviews with the participants were recorded and transcribed. First, Thematic Content Analysis (TCA) was used to extract
the recurring themes. Second, Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was utilized to reveal the loci of attribution with emotionally exhausted language teachers. The result
indicated that agents of attribution are mainly external to the teachers with underpayment as the top contributor. The linkages of the findings with the related literature are discussed and potential preventive strategies are suggested aligned with the results of this study and others in the literature. This study can help educational policymakers, administrators and teacher
training programmers to understand the emotional problems of language teachers in particular and teachers in all disciplines in general and plan to prevent further repercussions.

Modern and forward-looking approaches to education and learning no longer treat learners as passi... more Modern and forward-looking approaches to education and learning no longer treat learners as passive recipients of knowledge. Rather, they claim to nurture self-monitored and self-disciplined thinkers who are shown to be academically successful and promising. This qualitative case study aimed at exploring the teachers’ and learners’ attitudes towards critical thinking within the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context of Iran. To this end, the attitudes of eighty Iranian EFL learners and their teacher towards inclusion of critical thinking exercises into their regular syllabus were gauged. The results obtained from 18 unstructured interviews indicated that teacher’s and learners’ responses were diametrically opposed; while learners’ performance improved and they became more motivated, the
teacher reported distress and dissatisfaction with the new approach to the syllabus. Thematic Content Analyses (TCA) and language skills tests also revealed that the L2 reading comprehension ability of learners benefited more than other skills. Other context-based factors and implications are discussed.


The growing attention to teachers` emotion has been in line with the new necessities of modern li... more The growing attention to teachers` emotion has been in line with the new necessities of modern life and has been
considered as a leading exponent of fast-changing educational settings through the clarification of the new personal
accountabilities. This unique study endeavored to compare levels of anxiety, depression, life satisfaction, job
satisfaction and life pleasure between teachers in humanities, formal sciences and natural sciences. More than 720
teachers across 14 different academic disciplines were compared and contrasted based upon the result of the
following standard psychological tests: Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Diener`s
Satisfaction with Life Scale, Brayfield-Rothe Index of Job Satisfaction and Goldberg Depression Scale. The results
were enlightening as the humanist teachers` psychological well-being was conspicuously superior to their
counterparts in natural and formal sciences. Being that said, the result can broaden the horizon of educational
researchers whose work revolves around emotionality of teachers as well as educational planners and programmers
to consider the implications in their teacher training programs.

Because idioms are ubiquitous in the authentic language to which learners are exposed, learners o... more Because idioms are ubiquitous in the authentic language to which learners are exposed, learners of a second or
foreign language need to possess a good command of idioms and proficiency in idiom use to be able to comprehend
and produce language effectively. A considerable body of research has sought ways to optimize learning and
teaching of idioms. The present study aimed at investigating the effect of using movie clips containing idioms, as
one method of teaching, on the quality of 60 intermediate EFL pupils’ idiom learning. Oxford Placement Test (OPT)
was implemented to ensure homogeneity of learners in proficiency. All the groups were given two standard idiom
multiple-choice tests, one as the pre-test and the other one as the post-test. In the experimental group, idioms were
taught by displaying movie clips containing the idioms, while the control group followed the traditional class
activities using synonyms and antonyms. The results of both Scheffe Dependent variable Post-test and paired sample
t-test revealed that the participants in the movie clips group had better performance in post-test than in pre-test. This
study has theoretical as well as pedagogical implications in the fields of second/ foreign language teaching and
learning which are discussed.

Self-directed learning (SDL) has recently gathered momentum among EFL/ESL researchers. ... more Self-directed learning (SDL) has recently gathered momentum among EFL/ESL researchers. Within
the SDL framework, learners are responsible to monitor and evaluate their own learning. Student selfassessment can play a crucial role in helping learners become more dedicated and motivated. This
study aimed at examining the role of filling out self-assessment checklists by 115 Iranian EFL learners
over three successive semesters with reference to the role of gender and level of proficiency. Three
classes filled out a standard weekly self-evaluation checklist while three corresponding classes passed
the same courses simultaneously without filling out any checklist. The result showed that there is not a
significant difference between the final score of the control group and the treatment group as a whole.
However, individual analysis of mean score of parallel classes showed that there is a significant
difference between the mean score of learners in third semester as the group filling out the checklist
scored significantly higher than those who did not. Individual analysis of mean score of third groups
also showed a significant difference between the mean score of females and males as female learners
earned higher scores; however, overall score of learners did not show any significant difference
considering gender factor. In conclusion the implications of the present study are discussed.


Literacy instructors are encountering accumulative challenges in today`s classrooms. Large-scale ... more Literacy instructors are encountering accumulative challenges in today`s classrooms. Large-scale high-stake assessments and managerial/parental expectations have doubled the pressure on teachers to produce high-achieving literacy learners. One of the chief aspects the teacher training programs have been focusing on lately has been the notion of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). This paper provides an overview of the PCK and how it can be used optimally in classrooms. This article is concluded by some suggestions and arguments on the reciprocal correlations between PCK and effective practice.

The current paper aims to provide a historical overview of the dyslexia therapy and research. Cur... more The current paper aims to provide a historical overview of the dyslexia therapy and research. Currently, dyslexia research is an interdisciplinary endeavor encompassing a wide array of subjects including neurology, education, psychology, and linguistics. However, under the influence of the concurrent literary, educational and psychological trends in different eras, different fields have provided unique insights into the nature of reading difficulties. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the current trends in the dyslexia research.