Flipped Presentation of Authentic Audio-Visual Materials: Impacts on Intercultural Sensitivity and Intercultural Effectiveness in an EFL Context.

Utilizing a pre-experimental pre-test post-test design, this study investigated the effect of an authentic audio-visual American sitcom (Friends) on the intercultural sensitivity (ICS) and intercultural effectiveness (ICE) of a sample of male and female upper-intermediate English students. To this aim, 34 Iranian EFL students were selected through convenient non-random sampling. In order to assure the participants' homogeneity in English proficiency, the selected students were given the Oxford Quick Placement Test prior to the intervention. Over a 10-week period, the participants were presented with nearly 30-min-long episodes of Friends in a flipped context, two episodes every week uploaded to the accompanying website. An online 10-item quiz on the day of watching and a next-day meeting were held. During the online discussion meetings, the participants discussed cultural questions tailored to the aims of the study. The required data were collected through the administration of the intercultural sensitivity scale (ISS) and intercultural effectiveness scale (IES) in pre- and post-test assessments. The analyses of the data indicated that both ICS and ICE improved significantly during the intervention. However, ICS indicated more improvement. In addition, a semi-structured interview was administered to the participants to examine their perception of the flipped classroom experience. Having analyzed the data using MAXQDA 2020, some significant themes emerged which are reported. On the whole, the participants portrayed positive attitudes toward using technology in flipped classes. The educational and practical implications are discussed.

Examining the Association of Grit Profiles With Big Five Personality and Achievement Among Iranian Foreign Language Learners.

Grit-trait-level perseverance and prolonged passion for primary goals-is related to several indicators of educational success such as academic achievement, engagement, and motivation. Although there is new evidence showing the beneficial effects of grit, most research has taken a variable-focused approach and consequently has failed to indicate how individuals with different grit profiles might have different academic results. The present study aimed to build on the existing literature on grit by investigating the relationship between grit, big five personality and L2 achievement. The participants of this study were 384 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students from different academic majors studying at Yazd University. They had enrolled in General English (GE) courses. The results of the cluster analyses showed that there were three natural grit profiles (Cluster 1 = High Perseverance and High Consistency; Cluster 2 = High Perseverance and Low Consistency; Cluster = Low Perseverance and High Consistency) in the current study. The results of the multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that students belonging to cluster 1 had the highest scores on big five personality traits and L2 achievement. The results also showed that when taking academic exams, high perseverance of effort and low consistency of interest were related to higher level of neuroticism and lower level of consciousness. Our study has some theoretical and practical implications. Regarding the theory, this study is related to the existing grit literature by elaborating the relationship between grit profiles, big five personality traits, and L2A. Regarding the practice, our findings affirm the significance of developing and implementing the big five personality traits interventions in grit prediction.

Perfectionism, Self-Efficacy Components, and Metacognitive Listening Strategy Use: A Multicategorical Multiple Mediation Analysis.

The present investigation examined the effect of perfectionism on metacognitive listening strategy (MLS) use through the components of self-efficacy (initiative, effort, and persistence) among a sample of 117 Iranian English as a Foreign Language university students. Cluster analysis was utilized to identify the perfectionistic clusters. The resulting analysis yielded a three-cluster solution (adaptive, maladaptive, and non-perfectionist). Multicategorical multiple mediation analysis was then used to explore the relative direct, indirect, and total effects and to test the postulated hypotheses of the study. Results indicated that adaptive perfectionism was associated with higher levels of effort and persistence, leading to greater MLS use. Regarding the initiative subscale, no significant differences were observed among the three perfectionist groups. Maladaptive perfectionists showed high levels of effort investment but not persistence. Mediation analysis did not support self-efficacy components as the mediators of the relationship between perfectionism and MLS use. Among self-efficacy components, only effort exerted a positive effect on MLS use. Results are discussed in terms of implications for future research and classroom practice.