behrooz azabdaftari; Davoud Amini
Abstract
Behrooz Azabdaftari is Professor Emeritus of Applied Linguistics at University of Tabriz. Born in 1938 in Tabriz, Iran, he received his BA in Language Education from Tehran Higher Education Institute in 1963 and his MA in English from University of Beirut in 1970. He was granted a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics ...
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Behrooz Azabdaftari is Professor Emeritus of Applied Linguistics at University of Tabriz. Born in 1938 in Tabriz, Iran, he received his BA in Language Education from Tehran Higher Education Institute in 1963 and his MA in English from University of Beirut in 1970. He was granted a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics by the University of Illinois, USA in 1980. During nearly 50 years of academic work, professor Azabdaftari has taught graduate courses at University of Tabriz, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University and Islamic Azad University. With an interdisciplinary approach to language studies, Dr. Azabdaftari has regularly published on the cross lines of Applied Linguistics, Translation and Literature. By translating a few key works on Vygotsky’s thought, he has had a significant role in introducing Sociocultural Theory to Iranian community of language teaching researchers. He has also translated selected poetry from well-known Persian contemporary poets, including an excellent translation of Shahraiar’s masterpiece of “Hayder Babaya Selam”. He has joined an interview with Davoud Amini.
Jean-Marc Dewaele; Davoud Amini
Abstract
Jean-Marc Dewaele (Ph.D. in Romance languages and literature, Free University of Brussels, 1993) is Professor of Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism at the Department of Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics, Birkbeck, University of London. He does research on individual differences in psycholinguistic, ...
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Jean-Marc Dewaele (Ph.D. in Romance languages and literature, Free University of Brussels, 1993) is Professor of Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism at the Department of Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics, Birkbeck, University of London. He does research on individual differences in psycholinguistic, sociolinguistic, pragmatic, psychological and emotional aspects of Second Language Acquisition and Multilingualism. Professor Dewaele is particularly interested in the interface between applied linguistics and psychology. He has published widely on multilingual emotions and Foreign Language Enjoyment and Anxiety. He has published over 300 papers and chapters, seven books and seven special issues. Professor Dewaele is the author of the monograph Emotions in Multiple Languages in 2010 (2nd ed. in 2013). Professor Dewaele has answered JALDA’s questions about emotion research in SLA studies in an offline interview with Davoud Amini, Associate Professor of TEFL at Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University.
Massoud Rahimpour; Davoud Amini
Abstract
Massoud Rahimpour is Professor Emeritus of Tabriz University. Professor Rahimpour has done his B.A. in English Language and Literature at Tabriz University in 1975, M.A. in TESOL at Oklahoma City University, U.S.A. in 1978, and Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics: Second Language Acquisition/Teaching at The ...
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Massoud Rahimpour is Professor Emeritus of Tabriz University. Professor Rahimpour has done his B.A. in English Language and Literature at Tabriz University in 1975, M.A. in TESOL at Oklahoma City University, U.S.A. in 1978, and Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics: Second Language Acquisition/Teaching at The University of Queensland, Australia in 1997. While he was at the University of Tabriz, he was also Head of English Department, Director of the International Academic Collaborations of Tabriz University, Deputy Dean of Faculty and Director of Centre for Teaching Foreign Languages. Professor Rahimpour has also been Honorary Associate Professor at the School of Languages and Cultures at The University of Queensland and language instructor at TAFE Queensland. He has also acted as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of English Language Teaching and Learning, Tabriz University and the Member of Editorial Board of several Journals of Language Teaching Research. Professor Rahimpour has published papers in international and national journals, published books and has presented papers in conferences. He has also supervised tens of M.A and Ph.D. theses. His research interests are Task-Based Language Teaching, Syllabus Design, Second Language Acquisition, Research Methods in Applied Linguistics and Adult Language Learning. Dr. Davoud Amini, assistant professor of ELT at Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University and a former Ph.D. student of professor Rahimpour has arranged this interview with him.
1. Applied Linguistics (Language Teaching and Learning)
Farzad Rostami; Mohammad Hossein Yousefi; Davoud Amini
Abstract
There have been some researches on the way teacher identities are (re)constructed; however, the study which investigatesthe improvement of the identity through the shift in language teaching has not been conducted. Thus the present qualitative study set out to investigate Iranian EFL teachers’ ...
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There have been some researches on the way teacher identities are (re)constructed; however, the study which investigatesthe improvement of the identity through the shift in language teaching has not been conducted. Thus the present qualitative study set out to investigate Iranian EFL teachers’ professional development who had been teaching either Arabic or Persian languages for more than six years prior to entering the English language teaching profession. Eleven Iranian in-service teachers took part in the study through purposeful sampling. For the purpose of the data collection, in-depth interviews, teachers’ narratives, and focus group interviews were used. The thematic analysis of the data through the Identity Theory (Burke & Stets, 2009) perspective revealedthree main themes: identity shift,identity development, and productive identity. The results indicate that teachers' professional learning requires rebuilding identity perception, and constructing a new identity will lead, in turn, to the professional development of teachers and their constructive learning. The present study contributes to the existing knowledge of teachers’ professional identity in that changes in the languages teachers teach will lead to reconstructing their professional identity in a positive wayand happen as a result of opportunities for professional development. The results have a number of implications for policymakers, teacher educators, and language teachers.
1. Applied Linguistics (Language Teaching and Learning)
Mohammad Hossein Yousefi; Farzad Rostami; Davoud Amini
Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of cognitive complexity of pedagogical tasks on the learners’ uptake of salient features in the input. For the purpose of data collection, three versions of a decision-making task (simple, mid, and complex) were employed. Three intact classes (each 20 ...
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The present study investigated the effects of cognitive complexity of pedagogical tasks on the learners’ uptake of salient features in the input. For the purpose of data collection, three versions of a decision-making task (simple, mid, and complex) were employed. Three intact classes (each 20 language learners) were randomly assigned to three groups. Each group transacted a version of a decision-making task in dyadic condition. The results of the statistical analysis (one-way ANOVA) revealed significant differences among the groups. The participants in complex group tended to produce more uptakes. The results of the present study revealed that manipulating cognitive complexity of pedagogical tasks led to more uptake of the linguistic items made salient by the teacher and triggered much interaction between the participants. The study, also, has a number of theoretical and pedagogical implications for SLA researchers and syllabus designers.
1. Applied Linguistics (Language Teaching and Learning)
Shahla Nazeri; Davoud Amini; Farzad Salahshoor
Abstract
“Code-Switching”, an important issue in the field of both language classroom and sociolinguistics, has been under consideration in investigations related to bilingual and multilingual societies. First proposed by Haugen (1956) and later developed byGrosjean (1982), the termcode-switching ...
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“Code-Switching”, an important issue in the field of both language classroom and sociolinguistics, has been under consideration in investigations related to bilingual and multilingual societies. First proposed by Haugen (1956) and later developed byGrosjean (1982), the termcode-switching refers to language alternation during communication. Although code-switching is unavoidable in bilingual and multilingual contexts, its role and motivational determinants in language classes are sometimes ignored. The goal of the present article was to investigate the motivational determinants of classroom code-switching in EFL classrooms. The research was conducted with 400 participants, including 374 students and 26 teachers. The data collection techniques included questionnairesand observation checklist, all of which were designed based on Hymes’ (1962) framework and Poplack’s (1980), Myers-Scotton’s (1989), Blom and Gumperz’s (1972), and Gumperz’s (1982) categorizations. The data were analyzed through the software SPSS (Version 20). The results revealedthat providing the listener with better understanding, clarification, and checking comprehension are the most important motivational determinants for codeswitching.
1. Applied Linguistics (Language Teaching and Learning)
Kazem Lotfipour-Saedi; Davoud Amini
Abstract
Due to the special (procedural) nature of the language (verbal communication) ‘knowledge’, the dominant trends in applied linguistics research in the last few decades have been advocating ‘acquisition’ rather than ‘learning’ activities where the main focus in SL & ...
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Due to the special (procedural) nature of the language (verbal communication) ‘knowledge’, the dominant trends in applied linguistics research in the last few decades have been advocating ‘acquisition’ rather than ‘learning’ activities where the main focus in SL & FL education should be on ‘meaning’ while some ‘focus-on-form’ being justified. But the ‘form’ to be ‘focused-on’ is mostly misconceived to be ‘grammaticality’ of sentences. This misconception is driven by the traditional outlook on language which considers it as a set of sentences carrying THE meaning deposited upon them, disregarding the true nature of verbal transactions where meanings are discursively constructed by the participants in interaction , and the text (enabled by its textuality) rather than sentences (supported by their grammatical accuracy) mediates this discursive process. The present paper argues that textuality representing an underlying discourse should be the ‘form’ to be focused on in SLA facilitation tasks. It is the textuality and its ‘impulse-creating and impulse-reiterating agencies which, upon their perception, help the receiver to grasp the hierarchical integrity of the linearly organized text. Each text can be seen as containing a set of units which are psycho-socio-linguistically determined packages facilitating the linear presentation of the textual hierarchy. These units, labeled as T-units in written text, can be defined as stretches of text occurring between two full-stops. These T-units are the epicenters for ‘impulse-creation’ while carrying some ‘impulse-reiterating’ elements as well. Variations in the overall configuration of the T-units including what is chosen as their main verb (epicenter), the number of impulse-reiterating elements revolving around it and their mode of realization will be discussed. It will be argued that the SLA ‘focus-on-form’ activities designed to raise the language learners’ consciousness should be along these textuality dimensions; and examples of such activities (mainly oriented towards reading/writing skills) will be discussed.
1. Applied Linguistics (Language Teaching and Learning)
Rasa Faramarzzadeh; Davoud Amini
Abstract
The crucial role of affective factors like anxiety, inhibition, motivation and self-esteem have long been of interest in the field of language learning due to their enormous association with the cognitive processes involved in performance in a second or foreign language. This study aimed at investigating ...
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The crucial role of affective factors like anxiety, inhibition, motivation and self-esteem have long been of interest in the field of language learning due to their enormous association with the cognitive processes involved in performance in a second or foreign language. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between Iranian EFL learners’ self-esteem and conversational dominance in terms of total spoken words, total spoken turns and interruptions in mixed groups (advanced and intermediate levels). The participants were EFL advanced and intermediate female learners in Iran Language Institute (ILI) Tabriz, Iran. The data was collected by administering Coppersmith self-esteem questionnaire and recording and transcribing oral data. Pearson coefficient was used to examine the significance of correlation between self-esteem measures and the components of conversational dominance in speaking performance. The results showed a positive correlation between self-esteem and conversational dominance in terms of total spoken words, total spoken turns and interruptions among the learners. The foundational role of affective variables in cognitive performance is emphasized as a result.
Davoud Amini; Mahya Shamlou
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine any possible relevance of perfectionism as a personal trait variable, in moderating the effectiveness of meta-cognitive instruction on bottom-up and top-down sub-processes of listening comprehension with a sample of EFL learners in Iranian context. To this end, 94 female ...
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The present study aimed to examine any possible relevance of perfectionism as a personal trait variable, in moderating the effectiveness of meta-cognitive instruction on bottom-up and top-down sub-processes of listening comprehension with a sample of EFL learners in Iranian context. To this end, 94 female EFL learners were selected from among 136 EFL learners at Andisheh Language Institute in Malayer, Iran based on the results of a homogenizing test (PET). The selected participants in 4 intact classes were randomly assigned to an experimental and a control group. Learners’ perfectionist tendency was measured by Ahvaz Perfectionism Scale and all participants were labeled as perfectionist or non-perfectionist by considering the median score as the cut-point. Two sessions of treatment were dedicated to explicit instruction of 5 metacognitive strategies for the experimental group, which was spared for the participants in the control group who received regular listening practice based on comprehension checking. Two sets of listening comprehension questions measuring top-down and bottom-up sub-processes adopted from TOEFL archives were administered as the post-test. The results indicated that both bottom-up and top-down listening comprehension were fostered by metacognitive instruction. Perfectionists and non-perfectionist EFL learners did not differ with regard to the effect of metacognitive instruction on their top-down listening comprehension though a significant moderating effect was observed for the bottom-up listening comprehension. The patterns of interaction between perfectionism and the two sub-processes of listening leave us in a better position to understand L2 listening process.
Davoud Amini
Abstract
Since ‘the development of whole person’ was brought to the focus of attention by humanist psychologists as a central concern in educational theory, affective variables have been assumed to have a significant share in the learning process that goes on in a pedagogical setting. Meanwhile, the ...
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Since ‘the development of whole person’ was brought to the focus of attention by humanist psychologists as a central concern in educational theory, affective variables have been assumed to have a significant share in the learning process that goes on in a pedagogical setting. Meanwhile, the process of second language development, because of the very nature of language as a vehicle for communication, is immensely influenced by socio-affective variables. In an instructional setting, on the other hand, emotional factors are clearly manifested in what goes on between the teacher and learners. As a result, the way the affective dimension of teacher-learner interactions is handled can predict, to a large extent, the effectiveness of interactional activities in second language classes. In this paper, having reviewed the learner-teacher relationship in methodologies that were particularly based on humanistic language teaching, I will argue, following Kumaravadivelu’s post-method pedagogy, that humanistic handling of the instructional situation by the teacher, beyond any methodological considerations, pledges a more positive atmosphere and better chances of language acquisition as a consequence. A set of guidelines are proposed to ascertain a humanistic relationship between teacher and learners in a language class.
