ethanporcaro/eric-fulltext-meta huggingface dataset:
Critical Reflection of an Iranian EFL Classroom: Effective Ploys in Narrative Paragraph Writing Development
Author: Jafari, Fatemeh Mohammad
Date: 2015-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Grounded Theory,Cooperative Learning,Reflection,Student Attitudes,Second Language Instruction,Critical Thinking,Learning Processes,Foreign Countries,Creative Activities,Writing Skills,Teaching Methods,Writing Instruction,Qualitative Research,Semi Structured Interviews

This article describes a qualitative study that investigated critical reflection in the hope that effective learning is objectified. It is the fruit of rumination on how critical reflection approach would affect learners' performance in narrative writing. The idea for this paper arose when the researchers consistently utilized ploys effective for five EFL students' learning of narrative writing in critical reflection process in an institute. Later, these ploys were categorized in three themes under three categories in teaching narrative writing. Data were gathered via students' reflective writings. Gathered data were interpreted in the real setting by small scale grounded theory analysis. The final upshot demonstrated the criticality of students' thoughts in their paper. The findings reveal the significance of optimal rapport and intimacy in which participants move ahead from mechanical learning to more cooperative approach in language learning with thorough reflection in their narrations for effective learning to take place.
Distorted Dialogue in Richard Matheson's &quot;I Am Legend&quot;: A Bakhtinian Perspective
Author: Faizi, Hamed
Date: 2015-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Novels,Dialogs (Language),Alienation,Violence,Literary Devices,Interpersonal Relationship,Theories

Based on the theories of Mikhail Bakhtin, a dialogue can necessarily take place only in a two-sided communication. But if a party creates a hierarchical situation for the domination of its voice in the context, the communication will no longer be dialogic. In &quot;I Am Legend&quot;, Richard Matheson depicts a post-apocalyptic world that is destroyed due to the spread of a disease which metamorphoses people into bugs. The bacterium of this disease is denotatively and symbolically the aftermath of a war in which every party attempts to suppress the other parties to establish a monologue to its own advantage. But Robert Neville, Matheson's main character, tries to find a cure for this exasperation. As he kills the new creatures, his attempt is a measure to delete the factors which make the &quot;other&quot; intolerable for him. When the new nonhuman race is ultimately at the threshold of creating another society, they look upon him in the same way he used to look upon them. However, the new society finally decides to execute him. A Bakhtinian reading of the novel shows that almost all the position-holders try to erase the dialogue and establish their own authority. It causes disastrous consequences like violent exclusions. The present research takes it to analyze the attempts in the novel which want to destroy dialogue, and to expose the disastrous results of each participant's efforts to exclude the other party. These efforts lead each party, especially the marginalized one, to an alienation where they have to spend their times in violence and frustration.
Blended Learning via Mobile Social Media &amp; Implementation of &quot;EDMODO&quot; in Reading Classes
Author: Yagci, Tahsin
Date: 2015-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Technology Uses in Education,Educational Technology,Telecommunications,Social Media,Handheld Devices,English (Second Language),Second Language Instruction,Teaching Methods,Student Attitudes,Foreign Countries,Interviews,Observation,College Students,Reading Instruction,Reading Skills

Almost there is nowhere that we don't use permeated smart technology. Increasingly developing mobile and wireless innovations forced us to integrate them to all fields in our lives. The latest trend in education is now blended learning and applications of mobile learning in educational environments. Pervasive and augmented usage of social media such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Bloggers etc. forced educators consider integrating social educational platforms into their academic curriculum. Furthermore the advancement in mobile device technologies with internet connectivity made mobile blended learning inevitable. Thus, for a long time educators are determent to adapt mobile learning for their lessons. So teaching evolves 7/24 through social mobile platforms. In my study I will clarify how to use social mobile media and devices in EFL teaching. Especially, there will be significant strategies how to enhance students' reading skills using EDMODO in my lessons practically. Advantages and disadvantages of mobile learning will be discussed in my paper. We will have an overview of learners' attitudes about social media and mobile learning platforms. What kind of reading tasks could be given through on EDMODO? How will be the assessment in this process? Are there any collaborative learning methods in EDMODO? All these and more questions are going to be enlightened in this study.
On the Effects of L2 on Iranian Bilinguals' L1 Writing Ability
Author: Agheshteh, Hessam
Date: 2015-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Native Language,Indo European Languages,Bilingualism,Transfer of Training,Writing Skills,Statistical Analysis,Essays,Writing Tests,Monolingualism,College Students,Control Groups,Experimental Groups,Foreign Countries

While the effects of L1 on L2 have been extensively investigated, the effects of L2 on L1 have been largely ignored. The present study attempted to address this issue by investigating the effects of L2 English on Iranian Bilinguals' L1 writing ability. For this end, 61 participants, 30 bilinguals and 31 monolinguals, were assessed on an essay-writing test in their L1. The gathered data were analyzed using independent samples t-test in which the t[subscript obs] (2.37) was higher than the critical value (2.00) at the significance level of 0.05. The bilinguals, as indicated by the results of the independent samples t-test, performed better than the monolinguals on their L1 writing ability indicating the positive effects bilingualism, here English, could have even on L1 writing ability, which provides more evidence for cross-linguistic influence.
Investigating the Explicit Instruction of Apology Speech Act on Pragmatic Development of Iranian EFL Learners
Author: Rajabi, Shima
Date: 2015-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Teaching Methods,Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Language Proficiency,Social Status,Social Distance,Control Groups,Experimental Groups,Grammar,Pragmatics,Speech Acts,Foreign Countries,Pretests Posttests,Language Tests,Discourse Analysis,English (Second Language),Vignettes,Statistical Analysis,Instructional Effectiveness

Learning a foreign language requires students to acquire both grammatical knowledge and socio-pragmatic rules of a language. Pragmatic competence as one of the most difficult aspects of language provides several challenges to L2 learners in the process of learning a foreign language. To overcome this problem, EFL teachers should find the most effective way of teaching pragmatic knowledge to their students. Accordingly, the present study investigated the effect of explicit teaching of apology speech act, as an aspect of pragmatic competence, on the Iranian EFL learners' appropriate use of the mentioned speech act. In so doing, a total of 73 EFL students at intermediate and advanced levels participated in a pre-posttest design research with experimental and control group. Data were collected using a Discourse Completion Test (DCT). The selection of apologetic situations in DCT was based on two variables of social status and social distance. The results revealed that explicit instruction was a facilitative tool that helped students use the proper apology strategies in different situations. Moreover, it was found that L2 proficiency had a significant influence on overall appropriateness of speech act production.
Comparing the Effects of Two Facets of Multiple Intelligences Theory on Developing EFL Learners' Listening
Author: Bemani Naeini, Ma'ssoumeh
Date: 2015-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,College Students,Listening Skills,Experimental Groups,Foreign Countries,Learning Theories,Student Surveys,Teaching Methods,Comparative Analysis,Pretests Posttests,Statistical Analysis,Language Tests,Multiple Intelligences,Intervention

Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Theory (MIT), however having been embraced in the field of language acquisition, has apparently failed to play a role in research on learning styles as an alternative construct. This study aims at examining the potential effects of MI-based activities, as learning styles, on the listening proficiency of Iranian TEFL university students. Based on two assumptions derived from MIT, one of the experimental groups (EG1; N = 30) worked on activities across intelligences while the other experimental group (EG2; N = 30) focused on the activities related to their most developed intelligence. McKenzie's (1999) MI Inventory was used to identify the subjects' preferred intelligences. There was a significant difference between listening scores on TOEFL before and after the intervention of MI-based activities as well as between the two experimental groups, indicating EG1 outperforming EG2. So, as the findings reveal, integration of MIT can significantly contribute to the enhancement of EFL learners' listening comprehension and the effect is even more significant if teachers practice an integration of all intelligences rather than the most developed ones, only.
A Postcolonial Survey of &quot;A House for Mr. Biswas&quot; by V. S. Naipaul
Author: Shojaan, Bahareh
Date: 2015-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Indians,Creoles,Foreign Policy,Housing,Novels,Self Concept,Attitude Change,Acculturation,Immigrants,Religion,Immigration,Cultural Pluralism,Foreign Countries,Psychological Patterns,Rejection (Psychology),Indo European Languages,Language Attitudes,Native Language

The present study tries to apply the postcolonial approach to V.S. Naipaul's &quot;A House for Mr. Biswas&quot;. It has been tried to investigate what happens to the people of other nations immigrating to a creole society. In this novel by Naipaul, the writer draws our attention to the characters who are immigrant Indian people spending their lives in the creole society of Trinidad under the dominance of colonial power. By studying the three generations of Indian in this novel we can observe how the characters of the novel change their identity, religion, education, customs, etc. as a result of living in the creole society. It is seen that as the generation changes the belief of the characters on their original culture fades away and they merge into the colonial power. The characters in the novel, when encountering the colonizer's culture, change their identity and become who they want them to be. Moreover, during the course of the novel, the characters find ambivalent personality as a result of experiencing unhomliness in the society of mixed cultures. This ambivalence makes them have a double consciousness, to be attracted toward the colonizer's culture and at the same time repulsed from it.
Iranian EFL Teachers' Attitudes towards Lesson Planning Based on Their Gender
Author: Heidari, Mina
Date: 2015-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,English (Second Language),Second Language Instruction,Language Teachers,Teacher Attitudes,Lesson Plans,Planning,Gender Differences,High Schools,Secondary School Teachers,Questionnaires,Statistical Analysis,Faculty Development

The purpose of this study was to examine Iranian EFL teachers' attitudes towards lesson plan based on their gender. The research is a quantitative study in which the data is obtained to get a great understanding on the relationship between lesson plan of Iranian English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers and teachers' gender. The population included 93 teachers in Eyvan and Ilam, Iran high schools and institutes. Participants in this study answered a Modified Questionnaire, adopted from Ramaila et al (2014). Independent sample t-test was computed to determine the difference between teachers' attitudes towards lesson plan and their gender. Through statistically analysis it was found that, the female teachers were more interested in use of lesson plan than the male teachers. This paper recommends that more seminars workshops and in-service courses be organized for all science teachers to help train and boost their attitudes on the significance of lesson plans in teaching/learning of English in schools.
Mutinous Colonialism: Navigating Self-Other Dichotomy in Octavia Butler's &quot;Survivor&quot;
Author: JubouriAl-Ogaili, Thamer Amer
Date: 2015-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Policy,Fiction,Christianity,Self Concept,Psychological Patterns,Novels,Adoption,Interpersonal Relationship

This article examines the self-other relationship in Octavia Butler's novel &quot;Survivor&quot; (1978). This relationship incarnates the colonial powers brought about the missionaries in their early advent in the fictional place known as &quot;Earth&quot;. This place is the foundational setting where the main events take place. The study focuses on the representation of this setting in terms of colonial affiliation. The missionaries are encountered by the natives known as &quot;Kohn&quot; who resist their discrimination practices. Alanna, the protagonist, will be the main focus of the study. She represents the severe dichotomy between the colonial invasion and the proper human attributes. She is a native of Kohn, but she is adopted by the missionaries' leader. Such adoption is highlighted by the use of two main concepts. The first of these is Edward Said's concept of self-other relationship. The second concept is Homi Bhabah's ambivalence. These concepts unravel the suppressed voices in &quot;Survivor&quot;. They will be analyzed within the colonial infringement in the novel's narrative structure.
A Comparative Study of the Use of Persian vs. English in Teaching English Grammar to Iranian Students in Junior High School
Author: Mehrseresht, Kowsar
Date: 2015-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Language Usage,Language of Instruction,Achievement Tests,Pretests Posttests,Comparative Analysis,Grammar,Teaching Methods,Outcomes of Education,Language Tests,Junior High School Students,Textbook Content,Statistical Analysis,Indo European Languages,Second Language Instruction,Native Language,Females

This study compared the relationship between the use of Persian vs. English in teaching English grammar to Iranian students and their achievement in learning English grammar. The participants of this study include 50 female students from a junior high school in Mehran. The researcher randomly selected 2 groups, one group was taught through the medium of Persian, while the other group was taught the same material through the medium of English. The materials were based on the content of the 3 lessons of third grade English text-book. Then a 30-item achievement test (pre-test) was administered to two groups to be getting insured of their homogeneity. The instruction began in two groups separately and the treatment lasted for 5 weeks. After the end of the instruction, the test was administered to two groups as post-test again. The data analysis showed that two languages (Persian &amp; English) lead to positive learning outcomes in the post-test, although the instruction through Persian caused better results than the instruction through the English.
Better Education at Ishik University Preparatory School with Extracurricular Activities
Author: Yildiz, Yunus
Date: 2015-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Extracurricular Activities,Student Motivation,Student Attitudes,Role,Academic Achievement,Educational Strategies,Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Learning Motivation,English (Second Language),Foreign Countries,Student Surveys,Private Colleges,College Students

It cannot be said that education today in institutions is better than the previous century. Because in the past, students' minds were not as full of time-consuming things like spending enormous time in front of a computer or a television as today. Subsequently, teachers used to concentrate their job well and students used to focus on the study better because there was nothing serious except studying. On the other hand, it can be said that the youth today are not as eager to learn as yesterday. Because of the fact that they are economically free and supported, they do not worry about failing in the exams supposing that they can possess the questions somehow easily and pass the exams. As a result, they think that whatever they want, they can simply gain without pain. Doing homework or extra studies are a torture from students' perspective. As lecturers we have to find many more tactics to motivate students in this education era. Hence, extracurricular activities might play a great role for motivating them to study and on their study achievement if they are used in institutions effectively. In my research article educators' observations and extracurricular activities' positive impact on weak language learners will be mentioned.
Dialect and Cultural Contact, Shift and Maintenance among the Jordanians Living in Irbid City: A Sociolinguistic Study
Author: Abushihab, Ibrahim
Date: 2015-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Dialects,Educational Background,Foreign Countries,Language Maintenance,Interviews,Observation,Age Differences,Gender Differences,Language Attitudes,Cultural Influences,Sociolinguistics,Marital Status,Refugees,Migration,Urban Areas

The paper investigates the issue of dialect and cultural contact among Jordanians living in Irbid city in the north of Jordan. The objective of the paper is to find the extent of dialect and cultural shift and maintenance among them. The data are collected by means of interviews and observations. A sample of 100 participants has been selected on the grounds of availability. The sample includes different ages, gender and educational background. The results show that the Jordanians living in Irbid city in the north of Jordan are experiencing a continuous shift in their dialects and culture because of the direct contact among them. This is a result of a mixture of dialects and cultural elements used in Irbid city.
Teachers' Evaluation of KBSM Form 4, 5 English Textbooks Used in the Secondary Schools in Penang, Malaysia
Author: Khoo, Hooi Shyan
Date: 2015-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Textbook Evaluation,English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Secondary School Students,Teacher Attitudes,Foreign Countries,Student Needs,Check Lists,Relevance (Education),Classification,Content Analysis,Interviews,Secondary School Teachers,Mixed Methods Research,Likert Scales

This is an exploratory study of the suitability of Form 4, 5 KBSM English textbooks used in Penang public secondary schools, Malaysia. It aims to investigate the relevance of the current textbooks to the needs of learners and the requirement of public examinations. A checklist is used to gauge teachers' viewpoints while subsequent interview sessions seek to reveal more insightful responses.
Overcoming Learning Time and Space Constraints through Technological Tool
Author: Zarei, Nafiseh
Date: 2015-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Time Management,Semi Structured Interviews,Qualitative Research,English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,College Students,Learning Processes,Foreign Countries,Electronic Publishing,Questionnaires,Student Attitudes,Content Analysis,Management Systems,Scaffolding (Teaching Technique)

Today the use of technological tools has become an evolution in language learning and language acquisition. Many instructors and lecturers believe that integrating Web-based learning tools into language courses allows pupils to become active learners during learning process. This study investigates how the Learning Management Blog (LMB) overcomes the learning time and space constraints that contribute to students' language learning and language acquisition processes. The participants were 30 ESL students at National University of Malaysia. A qualitative approach comprising an open-ended questionnaire and a semi-structured interview was used to collect data. The results of the study revealed that the students' language learning and acquisition processes were enhanced. The students did not face any learning time and space limitations while being engaged in the learning process via the LMB. They learned and acquired knowledge using the language learning materials and forum at anytime and anywhere.
An Evaluation of Output Quality of Machine Translation (Padideh Software vs. Google Translate)
Author: Azer, Haniyeh Sadeghi
Date: 2015-08-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Computational Linguistics,Computer Software,Translation,Users (Information),Second Languages,Questionnaires,English,Indo European Languages,Scores,Evaluators,Statistical Analysis

This study aims to evaluate the translation quality of two machine translation systems in translating six different text-types, from English to Persian. The evaluation was based on criteria proposed by Van Slype (1979). The proposed model for evaluation is a black-box type, comparative and adequacy-oriented evaluation. To conduct the evaluation, a questionnaire was assigned to end-users to evaluate the outputs to examine and determine, if the machine-generated translations are intelligible and acceptable from their point of view and which one of the machine-generated translations produced by Padideh software and Google Translate is more acceptable and useful from the end-users' point of view. The findings indicate that the machine-generated translations are intelligible and acceptable in translating certain text-types for end-users and Google Translate is more acceptable from end-users' point of view.