Iranian English As A Foreign Language Teachers Research Articles

Understanding EFL teachers’ experiences of ChatGPT-driven collaborative reflective practice through a community of practice lens

ABSTRACT Purpose: Despite the acknowledged impact of generative artificial intelligence chatbot (ChatGPT) in the field of education, further research is necessary to explore the potential of ChatGPT in enhancing the professional growth of English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers. Hence, this study aims to uncover how Iranian EFL teachers’ (four novice and four experienced teachers) ChatGPT-driven collaborative reflective practice (CRP), both independently and collaboratively, can contribute to their professional development. Design/methodology/approach: We adopted a transcendental phenomenology approach which encouraged us to eliminate any biases or preconceived notions we may have had regarding the phenomenon under investigation and analyzed the data thematically. Findings: Findings gathered through group discussions, observations, and semi-structured interviews demonstrated that EFL teachers developed professionally through ChatGPT-driven CRP done individually and collaboratively. Teachers’ individual reflection with ChatGPT served as a complementary preparatory step for contributing insightful perspectives during CRP in the community of practice (CoP). Originality/value: Discussion of findings indicates the ways ChatGPT-driven CRP as a new mode can enhance the quality of language teacher education and professional development programs, especially in disadvantaged contexts where mentors and teacher educators are not always available to provide language teachers with reflective feedback.

The effect of positive emotion on foreign language teacher engagement and well-being: A cross-cultural comparison

Foreign language teaching enjoyment (FLTE) has recently been introduced as a broad positive emotion experienced by foreign language (FL) teachers, despite obstacles embedded in FL teaching. However, identifying its psychological outcomes – and the cultural specificity of these outcomes – has received scant research attention across different contexts. The present cross-cultural study aims to investigate whether teachers’ FLTE can predict and influence engagement and well-being in the English as a foreign language (EFL) context of Iran and China. A series of structural equation models (SEMs) indicated that EFL teachers’ FLTE affected their work engagement and well-being in both Iranian and Chinese samples, with structural invariance tests confirming the group-level differences between Iranian and Chinese EFL teachers in the light of FLTE outcomes. The study provides insight into the positive outcomes of positive emotions in FL teaching as framed by the lens of positive psychology. In addition, a rare non-Western cross-cultural comparison contributes to the ongoing discussions in literature regarding the influence of cultural contexts on the experience and outcome manifestation of positive emotions.

Is ChatGPT an evil or an angel for second language education and research? A phenomenographic study of research‐active EFL teachers’ perceptions

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) is influencing different aspects of human life. An AI‐powered technology, which has been recently released, is ChatGPT. It is a cutting‐edge technology that influences second/foreign language (L2) education. Although there is increasing research on the benefits and misfits of this chatbot in different disciplines, L2 education lacks a thorough investigation. To fill this lacuna, this phenomenographic study examined the perceptions of research‐active English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers regarding the potentials and pitfalls of ChatGPT for L2 learning, teaching, assessment, and research. To this end, a semistructured interview was held with 30 Iranian EFL teachers with varying educational backgrounds and AI integration experiences. The results of content and thematic analysis indicated that ChatGPT is a double‐edged sword that can both benefit and hurt these areas of L2 education. The most notable potentials were augmenting learner autonomy, providing personalized learning, reducing teachers’ teaching workload, designing assessment rubrics, and summarizing lengthy papers and theses to save L2 researchers’ time and energy. Concerning pitfalls, it was reported that ChatGPT might kill creativity and academic integrity, encourage cheating in online exams, spread fake and misinformation into the world of research, and cherish high‐tech plagiarism. Some practical suggestions are made to empower L2 educators and researchers to survive in the world of AI.

Teachers’ cognition and classroom implementation of tasks in task-supported language teaching (TSLT)

Research into language teacher cognition has expanded over the past two decades. This line of inquiry has contributed to our understanding of teachers’ pedagogical beliefs and classroom behaviors. Whereas prior studies have investigated teachers’ cognition of tasks in task-based language teaching (TBLT), to date exploring their cognition in task-supported language teaching (TSLT), particularly in the Iranian context, has received scant attention. To fill this research gap, the present study aimed to provide insights into English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ cognition of tasks and task implementation in a TSLT setting. Data were collected through classroom observations and semi-structured interviews with four Iranian EFL teachers. Findings revealed that the teachers perceived tasks as a worthwhile area for their teaching as these pedagogical tools provide learners with opportunities to practice previously taught language items orally and enhance motivation and interaction among learners. However, the participants’ cognition of tasks and task implementation were not completely aligned with the conceptualizations proposed in the literature. On the other hand, there was a relatively strong consistency between teachers’ cognition of tasks and their task implementation practices. In light of the present findings, possible implications for teacher-preparation programs in TSLT including equipping teachers with professional knowledge about tasks and task implementation are presented.

Iranian EFL teachers’ self-efficacy: structural equation modeling of the consequences

Within the field of teacher education, the concept of self-efficacy—which includes teachers' self-perceptions of their competence and abilities in particular tasks—has attracted a lot of attention. It shows how confident a teacher is in their ability to help students achieve the learning objectives. In spite of its critical importance, there hasn't been a single study that thoroughly examines the underlying effects of self-efficacy among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers. To carefully examine these effects and verify a theoretical model, this study uses a mixed methods approach. 26 articles are found to be eligible after a meta-analysis method is used to thoroughly review pertinent articles from Elsevier, Google Scholar, and ERIC. The following outcomes are linked to the self-efficacy of EFL teachers: burnout, instructional success, psychological well-being, engagement and job satisfaction, communication readiness, teaching commitment, emotion regulation, professional development, and motivational teaching behavior. Using structural equation modeling, the proposed model is evaluated in the quantitative phase. The researchers' 10-factor scale is used to collect data. The model's divergent validity, convergent validity, and reliability are all shown to be at acceptable levels by the results. These findings have both theoretical and practical ramifications, offering useful information.

Educational Background and Workplace Context: Shaping Iranian EFL Teachers' Attitudes Towards Online Teaching

In the constantly evolving field of education, this comprehensive study delves into the attitudes of Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers towards online teaching, with a particular focus on the influence of their educational levels and workplace settings. The research, which involved 160 diverse EFL teachers, meticulously examines the multifaceted dimensions of this pivotal issue. At the heart of this inquiry lies the questionnaire 'Teachers' Attitude Towards Online Teaching' (TAtOT), which Kianinezhad (2023) fastidiously tailored and validated for application among Iranian EFL teachers. The study uncovers compelling findings, demonstrating a direct correlation between educators' educational backgrounds and their attitudes towards online teaching. Notably, teachers with advanced degrees exhibit markedly more favorable attitudes, underscoring the importance of higher education in shaping educators' readiness for online teaching. Furthermore, the research unveils significant distinctions in attitudes based on educators' workplace contexts. Educators in schools manifest more positive attitudes, while those in institutes and universities also express favorable perspectives. These findings hold significant implications for educational institutions, policymakers, and educators themselves. They emphasize the necessity for tailored professional development programs, supportive policy frameworks, and proactive engagement by educators in continuously enhancing their digital competencies. Since the digital transformation of education continues to shape the learning landscape, this research offers invaluable insights to guide the effective integration of technology and online teaching methods, ensuring a brighter and more inclusive future for language education in the digital age.

Attitudes towards Online Teaching: Gender, Experience, and Age among Iranian English Language Teaching Teachers

The field of education is currently experiencing a profound technological revolution, driven by the pervasive influence of the internet. This transformation has made the integration of technology indispensable. This research explores the nuanced influence of gender, age, and experience on the attitudes of 160 Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers toward online teaching. Central to this investigation is the 'Teachers' Attitude Towards Online Teaching' (TAtOT) questionnaire, thoughtfully adapted and validated for Iranian EFL teachers by Kianinezhad (2023). The study reveals a significant gender-based disparity, with male teachers exhibiting a more favorable perspective on online teaching. Additionally, the research establishes a negative correlation between attitudes and both experience and age, indicating that teachers tend to view online teaching less favorably as they gain more experience and age. This study underscores the critical importance of tailored training, well-designed support systems, continuous professional development, collaborative initiatives, and substantial investments in policies and infrastructure to foster a positive attitude toward technology integration among educators. In conclusion, the research not only highlights but also underscores the dynamic interplay of gender, age, and experience in shaping attitudes among Iranian EFL teachers. This understanding empowers educational institutions to develop strategies for promoting technology integration and, consequently, enhancing the quality of online education in the EFL context. Further research in this field is strongly recommended to refine and expand upon these insights, guiding evidence-based practices in teacher education and support in the future.

“Teachers as conflict managers”: mapping novice and experienced Iranian EFL teachers’ professional identity conflicts and confrontation strategies

Teacher professional identity has been widely investigated in second/foreign language (L2) research in the past decade. However, the identity conflicts that English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers with various teaching experiences face in their profession has been mostly neglected. Moreover, the way such conflicts shape L2 teachers’ identity and are resolved is yet under-explored. To fill these voids, this study scrutinized novice and experienced Iranian EFL teachers’ perceptions of professional identity conflicts, their influence on identity construction, and confrontation/management strategies. To this end, 30 EFL teachers (15 novice, 15 experienced) were recruited to attend a semi-structured interview and complete a narrative frame. The results of content and thematic analysis obtained by MAXQDA software revealed that both novice and experienced teachers mostly faced identity conflicts because of “teaching philosophy/ideology mismatch” and “mismatch between personal and professional self”. Novice teachers also recurrently posed interference with “clothing and physical appearance” as a source of conflict, while experienced teachers believed “unequal power relations at work”, “imposed policy mandates”, and “traditional syllabus and testing” had produced conflicts. These conflicts affected teachers’ identity construction by influencing novice teachers’ emotional and inner world, but experienced teachers’ pedagogical performance and interpersonal communication. To confront the conflicts, the participants suggested different strategies such as “negotiating conflicts with others”, “avoiding conflicts”, and “suppressing conflicts”. The study discusses the findings and their implications for L2 teachers and educators regarding common identity conflicts and resolutions.

Exploring Iranian EFL teachers’ attitudes toward the use of learning management systems in English classes

This research was set to uncover Iranian English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) teachers’ attitudes toward the use of learning management systems (LMS) in English classes. Employing a mixed methods research design, the researchers recruited 168 Iranian EFL teachers from several schools and language institutions as research participants and sent them a valid self-report questionnaire to gather quantitative data. Simultaneously, they conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 teachers to collect qualitative data. Findings revealed that Iranian EFL teachers adopted both positive and negative perceptions of LMS use. The positive perceptions included ease of access, knowledge sharing, suitability for crowded classes, variety of learning tasks, and more advanced assignments and feedback. In turn, negative views comprised inadequacy of teacher training programs, inappropriacy for productive skills, complexity of functions, and students’ unfamiliarity with the systems as well as lack of interest. These results may offer significant insights into EFL practitioners’ perceptions of a variety of measures that can be taken by teacher development programs to encourage the use of LMS in EFL contexts.

Demystifying Iranian EFL teachers’ perceptions and practices of learning-oriented assessment (LOA): challenges and prospects in focus

As a growing approach to assessment, learning-oriented assessment (LOA) has recently flourished to position learning at the center of assessment practices. It aims to unify assessment, teaching, and learning. However, little is written and known about its benefits, challenges, and practices in English as a foreign language (EFL) contexts. To shed light on these aspects, the present study was a bid to unpack Iranian EFL teachers’ perceptions about the benefits, challenges, and professional activities that facilitate LOA understanding and practice. To this end, 40 EFL teachers including both genders were invited to a semi-structured interview held in person. The results of the thematic analysis obtained by MAXQDA revealed that Iranian EFL teachers had different perceptions regarding LOA. They argued that LOA is a process-based, feedback-oriented, formative, and alternative assessment technique that foregrounds feedback and progress rather than the final outcome. Furthermore, it was identified that LOA can be practiced by using alternative assessment, performance assessment, dynamic assessment, peer assessment, self-assessment, and portfolio assessment. Likewise, the results demonstrated that LOA is beneficial in enhancing classroom interaction, collaboration, and engagement, integrating assessment, teaching, and learning, and monitoring students’ progress. However, the time budget, large classes, and teachers’ lack of knowledge and training on LOA were perceived as challenges for applying LOA. Furthermore, it was found that Iranian EFL teachers supported the use of training courses, reading articles and books, and attending assessment-related workshops, webinars, seminars, and conferences to improve LOA knowledge and skills. The study provides implications for EFL teachers and trainers, who can use different assessment techniques/practices representative of LOA.

Iranian EFL teachers’ reflective ability, their teaching experience, and learners’ motivation: exploring possible relationships

ABSTRACT Given the importance of reflection and experience in teaching and the undeniable role of motivation in learning, the present study aimed to investigate the relationships between teachers’ reflective ability, their teaching experience, and learners’ motivation. To this end, 50 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers and 260 EFL learners participated in the study. Through quantitative phase, teachers completed a reflection questionnaire and learners completed both the Oxford Placement Test (OPT) and a motivation questionnaire. Correlational analysis and multiple regression indicated that there were significant positive relationships between teachers’ reflective ability, their teaching experience and learners’ motivation. Besides, the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach was used and it showed the positive significant relationships among the variables. Pedagogical implications and suggestions for further studies were presented based on the findings of the current research too.

Understanding EFL teachers’ wellbeing: An activity theoretic perspective

Teaching, as a physically, emotionally, and socially demanding profession, subjects teachers to multiple sources of stress and challenge, jeopardizing their wellbeing and adversely affecting their performance in turn. English language teaching is no exception to this unwelcome trend. The study of the factors affecting English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ perceived wellbeing in the workplace environment allows us insight into how teacher wellbeing can be enhanced and maintained in the face of challenges. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate Iranian EFL teachers’ perceived wellbeing in the workplace environment from an activity theoretic perspective. To that end, the wellbeing of 15 in-service EFL teachers was examined. Data were collected through a narrative frame and semi-structured individual interview and were thematically analysed using NVivo 12 to cast light on the factors that boost or mitigate the participants’ wellbeing. Findings demonstrated how six factors – namely learners, colleagues, institutional authorities, institutional rules and regulations, workload, and the status of EFL teachers – define the participants’ wellbeing. The factors are mapped onto the six key elements of activity theory to display how individual and collective dimensions of educational milieus interact in molding teachers’ wellbeing. Pedagogical implications and avenues for future research are outlined.

Modeling the associations between EFL teachers’ immunity, L2 grit, and work engagement

ABSTRACT Due to the novelty of the concept of language teacher immunity, scant research attention has been dedicated to exploring its personality-based and psychological correlates in language teaching research. To expand the line of research investigating the contributing factors to language teachers’ immunity, the present study, informed by positive psychology, aimed to test a structural model of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ L2 grit, work engagement, and immunity. The participants were 369 Iranian EFL teachers who completed three electronic surveys. The results of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) indicated that EFL teachers’ immunity was significantly influenced by their L2 grit and work engagement. In addition, EFL teachers’ L2 grit was found to be a stronger predictor of their immunity than work engagement. The findings revealed that EFL teachers with higher levels of work engagement and L2 grit tended to be more immune to professional challenges, which subsequently helped them overcome stressors resiliently and remain committed to the profession. The results highlight the significance of applying positive psychology in the field of foreign language teacher education and add to our understanding of the antecedents of language teachers’ immunity in EFL contexts. Finally, suggestions for future research are offered.

Cultural identity construction of Iranian EFL teachers: a narrative study in the context of private language institutes

PurposeThis narrative study seeks to explore cultural identity (CI) construction of Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers in light of Tong and Cheung's (2011) definition of CI.Design/methodology/approachTen language teachers were selected using purposeful sampling. Data were collected through reflective teacher journals and focus group interviews. Murray's (2009) data analysis procedures were utilized to analyze the data, which included coding the transcripts of data, looking for connections between codes and grouping codes into categories, configuring the participants' story from the data, sending the story to the participants for their comments, carrying out a cross-story analysis and noting themes as they emerge from the stories.FindingsThe inductive analysis of data led to the emergence of three core themes: cultural engagement, openness to differences in L2 cultural values and social practices and navigation of a hybrid CI. That is, the EFL teachers defined their CIs in terms of their commitment to both native and target-language cultures as well as their preservation of cultural diversity.Originality/valueFindings revealed that L2 acquisition leads to changes of soft cultural forms such as food, clothes and houses as well as modifications of hard cultural forms such as institutional systems and spiritual values. In fact, the participants of this study spoke of the crucial effects of the English language and its culture with regard to both soft and hard cultural forms such as values and standards that brought so many positive changes into their previous lifestyles, attitudes and behaviors.

EFL Teachers’ Assessment Literacy: A Contextualized Measure of Assessment Theories and Skills

Teachers from different sectors of education have always been involved in the process of assessing learners’ academic performance. In the language teaching discipline, this has highlighted the significance of language assessment literacy (LAL), reflecting its significance to language teachers across various settings. In the wake of recent theoretical bourgeoning, development of a contextualized framework that proves helpful in conceptualization and measurement of English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ LAL is required. To this aim, the present study gained insights from Fulcher’s (2012) LAL framework into validation and examination of a LAL scale that could be considered for its applicability and usefulness as a LAL measure and help EFL teachers self-evaluate their LAL levels (in particular, their LAL theoretical and practical components). For this purpose, a mixed-methods approach was used to synthesize interview data from six national and international experts with questionnaire data obtained from Iranian EFL teachers (N=173) to gauge their assessment theories and skills and bear evidence in support of the reliability, validity and utilization of the measure put forth. The study rounds out with the significance of teachers’ LAL in teachers’ pedagogy, with finally presenting theoretical and practical implications of the obtained evidence for educational research and practices.

The Contribution of Psychological Wellbeing and Emotion-Regulation to Foreign Language Teaching Enjoyment.

The notion of foreign language teaching enjoyment (FLTE) has recently been introduced to the field of foreign language education as a positive emotion which influences teachers’ professional and psychological growth. Due to the pure novelty of the concept, scant research attention has been paid to its antecedents in English as a foreign language (EFL) contexts. The present study aims to investigate the extent to which psychological wellbeing and emotion regulation can contribute to FLTE of Iranian EFL teachers. The participants (N = 575) responded to three electronic questionnaires and the collected data were then analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM). The SEM analysis indicated that Iranian EFL teachers’ psychological wellbeing and emotion regulation significantly influenced their FLTE. The findings revealed that psychological wellbeing was a stronger predictor of EFL teachers’ FLTE in the Iranian context. The findings were discussed regarding the causes of increasing teaching enjoyment. The results highlighted the importance of applying psychology in language teaching research. Finally, implications and suggestions for future research are offered.

Developing Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) through an enriched teacher education program: cases of four Iranian pre-service EFL teachers

ABSTRACT Pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) has been extensively studied in science teacher education. However, scant research attention within the domain of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) has been paid to teachers’ PCK. With an interpretive qualitative design, the present study aimed to investigate whether pre-service English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ PCK could be developed through an enriched teacher education program in the Iranian context. The program, including 12 sessions for increasing four teachers’ knowledge of strategies, students, and curriculum, was enriched by providing the teachers with opportunities to present the content through effective strategies, reflect on teaching practices through viewing videos, and receive mentoring. The data were gathered through video-stimulated recall, semi-structured interview, field notes, and classroom observation. After qualitative data analysis, five major themes emerged. The findings indicated that enriched teacher education programs could help pre-service EFL teachers reflect on their pedagogical practices and develop their PCK; however, these programs would not be sufficient. In addition, analysing the observational data indicated that enriched teacher education programs could mainly influence pre-service EFL teachers’ knowledge of teaching strategies as one of the main subareas of PCK. Finally, pedagogical implications and suggestions for future research are offered.

Narrative inquiry for CALL teacher preparation programs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: language teachers’ technological needs and suggestions

Drawing on qualitative research, this study explores the Iranian EFL teachers’ technological needs and their suggestions for using computer-assisted language learning (CALL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed the narratives produced by 66 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers for their themes through deductive and inductive thematic analysis phases using MAXQDA. The findings indicate that CALL teacher preparation programs should prioritize technological pedagogical knowledge (TPK), then technological content knowledge (TCK), and finally technological knowledge (TK). Moreover, teachers stated that CALL teacher preparation programs should develop their knowledge concerning the intersections of TCK/TPK and TPK/TK. Furthermore, Iranian EFL teachers suggested that CALL can be used during the pandemic if cooperation among teachers, students, and parents will be made, technological-related infrastructures will be developed, and teacher preparation programs will develop EFL teachers’ collaboration, digital literacy, teacher autonomy, and TPK with special attention to the educational needs made by the pandemic situation. The findings have implications for teacher educators, professional development course designers and providers, and decision-makers by highlighting promising directions to devote their precious time and resources.

The Enactment of Classroom Justice Through Explicit Instruction: Deciphering the Changes in English as a Foreign Language Teachers' Perceptions and Practices.

This mixed methods research study investigated if explicit instruction could affect EFL teachers’ perceptions and practices of classroom justice considering its three-dimensional conceptualization based on the social psychology theories of justice, encompassing the distributive, interactional, and procedural justice. To this end, 77 Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers, chosen through maximum variation sampling, attended a four-session online justice-training course. The data were collected both before and after the course intervention through close- and open-ended questionnaires. Quantitative data analysis results, obtained through running paired samples t-tests and Wilcoxon signed ranks tests, indicated that except for the distributive component, the treatment was effective in significantly enhancing the Iranian EFL teachers’ procedural, interactional, and total classroom justice perceptions. Content analysis of the posttest qualitative data, done through MAXQDA, revealed that the participants approved the course usefulness, its significance, and uses of justice enactment strategies in their classroom. Furthermore, they confirmed positive changes in their conceptions and practices of justice because of attending the course and showed enthusiasm in attending more such courses in the future. The convergence of the quantitative and qualitative results in this study demonstrated the effectiveness of the justice-oriented training course for enhancing EFL teachers’ just classroom behaviors. Hence, the results would be fruitful for teacher educators aiming to promote the pre- and in-service EFL teachers’ professional effectiveness through explicit instruction on classroom justice and its use in teacher education programs.

Professional Identity Development of Iranian EFL Teachers: Workplace Conflicts and Identity Fluctuations

ABSTRACT This study aimed at uncovering complexities surrounding in-service English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ identity development. Literature still lacks knowledge about such process in the face of workplace conflicts and as to whether such conflicts vacillate EFL teachers’ imagined and practiced identities, especially in the context of Iran. To address this lacuna, three Iranian EFL teachers’ identity construction in the course of 4 years was explored through narrative inquiry. Data were collected through journals, narrative semi-structured interviews, and lesson plans. Drawing upon Activity Theory (AT), the findings underscored the fluid, collaborative, and negotiated nature of identity development. This study demonstrated how workplace climate, teaching milieus and power relations within, teachers’ personal ideologies and interpretations, and institutional demands may be used to garner insight into EFL teachers’ journey of professional identity development. This study has implications for educational authorities and teacher educators.