Research is an indispensable part of any educational endeavour generally and graduate/postgraduate studies particularly, since the Iranian educational system requires M.A. and Ph.D. candidates to submit a thesis or dissertation as partial fulfilment of the requirements for attaining their respective academic degrees. However, a review of the…

We conceptually replicated Kemp (2010), who investigated the effect of keeping a listening log, a journal or learner diary, on ESL students' motivation toward autonomous learning. Her research suggested that keeping a listening log can aid ESL listeners to self-monitor their performance and reflect on their listening process independently.…

English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers differ in their autonomy-supportive and controlling interpersonal behavioral styles when motivating learners. Drawing upon the self-determination theory (SDT) and the model of interpersonal teacher behavior (MITB), this study aimed to investigate the impact of teachers' interpersonal behaviors,…

This study attempted to investigate the relationship between EFL learners' motivation and internal locus of control under the framework of self-determination theory. In addition, the study examined the relation between EFL learners' age and gender regarding their motivation and internal locus of control. To this end, a convenience sample of 115…

Teacher self-disclosure is a communication technique to improve relationships between teachers and students. More often than not, a healthy learning environment is created by the relationship between the teacher and students (Frymier & Houser, 2000). This study aimed to determine whether there are any variations between male and female…

This explanatory sequential mixed methods study aimed at exploring the grading decision-making of Iranian English language teachers in terms of the factors used when assigning grades and the rationales behind using those factors. In the preliminary quantitative phase, a questionnaire was issued to 300 secondary school and private institute EFL…

Workplace stress among employees has been known to impede work efficacy, a phenomenon usually referred to as burnout. Recently, there has been a growing research on this issue in educational contexts, particularly at pre-tertiary levels, giving rise to a need to do this kind of investigation at higher education level as well. As a response to this…

The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between EFL teachers' critical thinking and use of motivational strategies. The participants of this study were 101 EFL teachers. These teachers were both male and female between 21 to 36 years old, and they taught intermediate and advanced levels and varied in their experience from 3…

Developing research performance has become an important theme in Iranian higher educational institutions as other national and international academic institutions across the world. However, the research performance of Iranian Teaching English as a Foreign Language postgraduate candidates has been argued to be limited. In order to increase their…

Needs analysis is the key step to designing relevant and useful courses in English for Specific Purposes (ESP), but finding ways to deliver needs in a motivating and interesting way is also paramount. Therefore, investigating students' motivation to learn ESP is central in needs analysis. Few studies have investigated needs from the perspective of…

Modern educational technologies might be perceived as practical and sufficient equipment for presenting educational tasks that simulate authentic language use. Through a defined procedure, learning activities can be delivered in the course of technology-based apparatus to change, manipulate, and control learners' educational environments. Today's…

The purpose of this study was three-fold: first, it aimed to develop a scale to shed light on English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers' perceptions of using Mobile Social Network Sites (MSNSs) in language teaching and learning. To this end, a 36-item MSNSs Utility Perceptions Inventory (MUPI) was developed. Second, the current study made an…

This study aimed at examining the possible effects of teacher motivational practices and student demotivation on the way Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners produce request and refusal speech acts. Subsequently, four instruments were selected and administered to the participants under scrutiny. They were: (a) a Quick Placement…

Numerous studies have verified the effect of cyclical presentation of materials on learners' language proficiency and achievement. However, there is a dearth of research exploring language teachers' perceptions of cyclical approach. Since teachers' perceptions may catalyze or nullify the effect of this approach, this study aims at exploring…

The current study probed qualitatively the antecedents and consequences of teachers' motivation and demotivation among Iranian English as foreign language (EFL) teachers. To conduct the study, four different kinds of qualitative methods were triangulated, including interviews, diaries, journal, and open-ended questions. To analyze the obtained…