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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. Besides, it was found that it would raise their metacognitive awareness of the listening process and motivate them toward autonomous listening. Her study deserves replication due to its theoretical motivation, which is the explicit teaching of a group of listening skills and strategies and the success of the listening skills module designed for study-abroad ESL students. However, almost no previous studies replicated the related research with a phenomenological perspective to examine its robustness and transferability, particularly in an EFL context. Thus, our conceptual replication used Kemp's (2010) materials and procedures to highlight the possible effects of keeping a listening log on EFL learners' motivation to become autonomous listeners in an EFL context. To serve this purpose, 30 freshmen Iranian TEFL students participated in this study. The data were collected through students' listening logs in eight sessions. Results suggested that keeping a listening log can motivate and encourage EFL learners to engage with and reflect on their listening experiences in potential learning situations, thus assisting them with becoming good listeners in real-life situations. Further discussions and pedagogical implications are provided in the paper.

Educators in contemporary educational settings are met with many challenges in the classroom. This is a descriptive paper focused on the impact of classroom management on students' academic achievement at the undergraduate level, entailing two aims one is from teachers' perspective, and the other is from the students' perspective. The first aim of this paper was to find out the factors that have an impact on classroom management and the strategies used in the classroom by the teacher and, in turn, the effect of classroom management on the students' academic achievement. Thirty-five teachers were selected randomly from the Science and Art University in Yazd Province. An adopted questionnaire consisting of three sets of questions each set with six questions was distributed and the data were collected. The results showed that students' need and teachers' knowledge and teachers' skills were three things that affect classroom management. Regarding the classroom strategies, the teachers' idea was that they have to provide instructional activity awareness. Lastly, teachers believed that management of the class was an interesting process of creating and maintaining a successful learning environment and friendly relationship which leads to students' success and in this way the teachers' role impact students' academic achievements. The second aim was to investigate students' perceptions of classroom management. Survey method was used to collect the data from the students through an adopted questionnaire. For this purpose, 250 students were selected from Science and Art University of Iran from fields of Psychology, Management, law and Accounting. Data was collected by using a Five-Likert scale. The result showed students' idea was that the latest technologies must be used in classrooms to facilitate the learners. There must be transparency and strict implementation of rules regulations and time schedule.

Since its inception, pragmatic competence has been studied vastly; the majority of these studies, however, have examined pragmatic production, and pragmatic comprehension is chiefly under-researched. This lack of adequate research also stands true for the underlying pragmatic comprehension processes and strategies. Therefore, the present investigation aimed to find out L2 pragmatic comprehension strategies used by 40 (F=20, M=20) Iranian EFL learners and to discover whether there would be any differences between interlanguage pragmatic comprehension strategies used by male and female learners. Participants, selected based on stratified random sampling, were chosen on the basis of their performance on a paper-based TOEFL out of the initial sample of 90 students. Three data collection instruments were employed: a validated pragmatic test (Tajeddin & Ahmadi Safa, 2010), concurrent verbal think-aloud protocols, and retrospective verbal think-aloud protocols. Data analysis revealed three classes of pragmatic comprehension strategies. First, socio-pragmatic strategies that included politeness, formality, indirectness, and distance/power influences. Second, lexico-pragmatic strategies which were more frequent than grammatical strategies in the second category. Third, the cognitive strategies that comprised both top-down and bottom-up processing strategies in L2 pragmatic comprehension. Furthermore, it was found that gender did not play any significant role in the use of pragmatic comprehension strategies. Study findings suggest that explicit teaching of pragmatic comprehension strategies helps learners promote their L2 pragmatic comprehension.

Though vocabulary learning strategies (VLS) have drawn continuous attention in SLA research in the past three decades, there remain many unanswered questions, many unknown caveats and many unexplored regions. Quite a few historical reviews of vocabulary learning strategies have been undertaken by researchers over the past years, tracing its growth over the years. However, no research until now has captured the VLS profile of learners from diverse ESL/EFL backgrounds and presented an analysis from a geographical point of view. This study aims to capture the VLS profile of the diverse learners and takes up the task of the geographical review of vocabulary learning strategies landscaping the VLS research over many countries. For this purpose, the researcher has chosen specifically the research happening in the backdrop of ESL/EFL contexts. Fourteen papers have been selected for review belonging to Philippine, Turkey, Algeria, Iran, Malaysia, Congo, China, India, Sudan, Libya and The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A detailed analysis reveals not only the juggling between the experiential and traditional modes of vocabulary learning but also the reasons behind the insufficient vocabulary size of the learners in myriad contexts.

Vocabulary learning and assessment are considered as the key basis for the training of English as a foreign language. However, it is time-consuming, uncertain and repetitious for the teachers to assess the proficiency of the students' vocabulary storage. This paper reports the results of a study which aimed to investigate the effect of Repeating as a direct vocabulary learning strategy versus Cooperating with Peers as an indirect vocabulary learning strategy teaching on the improvement of word knowledge on reading comprehension skill of Iranian undergraduate students. In order to attain the aim of the research, a vocabulary test was administrated to one hundred and forty-six male and female pre-intermediate EFL university students. Ultimately, seventy-eight pre-intermediate language learners were elected and appointed into two experimental groups (A and B) based on a vocabulary pre-test. The group (A) was taught vocabulary through Using Repeating vocabulary learning strategy and the group (B) was taught Cooperating with Peers vocabulary learning strategy for the aim of improving their lexical knowledge in reading comprehension skill. In the end of the treatment period, another vocabulary test (post-test) was implemented to all the students of two groups. After analyzing the data of the study that administered through using Independent samples t-test statistics, the results showed that there was a considerable difference between the two experimental groups under analysis in terms of their vocabulary improvements. The outcomes revealed that Repeating as a direct vocabulary learning strategy can cause to higher accomplishments of word storage in reading comprehension skill of Iranian pre-intermediate EFL undergraduate learners.

This paper aims to present the results obtained in a survey whose objective was to investigate the Iranian French language learner's definition of memorization, and the techniques they adopt most frequently in memorizing linguistic structures and vocabulary. The results indicate that although memorization plays a significant role in learning a foreign language, it is often neglected or understated. Memorization techniques are known to be rather individual, but it is suggested that weak learners can be encouraged to replace old techniques with more effective ones that could pave the way to a profound and stable learning.

This study investigated the use of language learning strategies (LLS) and reasons for learning English among Iranian EFL students who began learning English at different ages. The participants (N = 33, both male and female) were divided into two groups of younger beginners (who began learning English before age 9; N = 16) and older beginners (who began learning English at or after age 12; N = 17). They were invited to complete Oxford's (1990) Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) questionnaire and to take part in a structured interview. While the students' choices of LLS were identified both through the questionnaire and interviews, their reasons for strategy use and their goals in learning English were determined using the interviews alone. Data analysis indicated that there were differences in LLS categories employed by the groups. Further findings and implications are discussed in the paper.

This paper reports a comparative study exploring language learning strategy use and beliefs about language learning of high-school students and students attending English institutes. Oxford's (1990) strategy inventory for language learning (SILL) and Horwitz's (1987) beliefs about language learning inventory (BALLI), were used to collect data. One-way multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. The results revealed significant differences between the two groups regarding their strategy use and beliefs about language learning. Institute students used significantly more memory, cognitive, compensation, metacognitive and social strategies. Also they held stronger beliefs about the difficulty of language learning and motivation and expectation than their peers in high school. The conclusions of the study along with related pedagogical implications are also discussed.

The development of critical thinking (CT) skills has become a key goal for educators in first and second language contexts. There is evidence that the use of such activities has still not become widespread in a number of ELT situations. One reason for this may be lack of awareness about how levels of thinking can be conceptualized in ELT activities. This paper will report on a program designed by the authors at a university in Iran, which used taxonomy of CT skills drawn up by Facione (1990) to probe the effect of critical thinking strategies training on reading comprehension of Iranian EFL students. In so doing, 240 male and female Iranian EFL students were selected and screened into two proficiency levels based on the TOEFL tests. Each proficiency group was divided into critical and non-critical group. The results suggested CT skills significantly affected EFL learners' reading comprehension performance. However, the effect of critical thinking strategy training didn't vary across different language proficiency levels. Overall, the findings provide empirical support for the facilitative effect of critical thinking strategy training on reading comprehension performance of EFL learners.

The reform in teaching and curriculum involves not only in the teaching content, but more so in teachers' methodology, the students' learning strategies and the changed relationship between students and teachers in the classroom setting. The purpose of this paper is to suggest that what is needed for ESP is a different orientation to English study and to outline an approach which departs from that which is generally taken. Broadly, what is involved is a shift of the focus of attention from the grammatical to the communicative properties of language. This view that the difficulties which the students encounter arise not so much from a defective knowledge of the system of language but from unfamiliarity with English use is acceptable but not sufficient. It is suggested that although specification of language needs is necessary for ESP course and it will be useful for selecting and grading materials, in teaching ESP learning strategies should play an important role. Accordingly, autonomous learning and metacognitive strategies are suggested as basic essentials for teaching and learning ESP.

The aim of the present study was to investigate EFL university students' attitude towards self-regulated learning strategies in writing academic papers. A further aim of the study was to compare the attitudes of two groups of university students (third and fourth years) in the employment of self-regulated learning strategies to find out whether academic education assists students to become more self-regulated writers with the passage of time. A questionnaire was developed and administered to 98 college students majoring in English language. The questionnaire consisted of 60 items assessing six dimensions of self-regulated learning, namely, motive, method, time, physical environment, social environment, and performance. Descriptive analyses revealed that the participants were moderate to slightly high in the use of self-regulatory strategies and processes. Furthermore, the findings indicated that certain writing strategies including pre-writing, goal-setting and self-consequence were not appropriately employed by the participants, suggesting an important need to acquire additional strategies for their writing. Using independent samples t-tests, we found that the fourth year students more frequently employed self-regulatory learning strategies in writing (i.e. method and social environment) than did the third year students in this study. The implications of the study which may benefit writing instructors are discussed.

Learning strategy has been an important topic of English language among teachers, researchers and syllabus designers in the history of English language teaching. Learning strategy and English language occupy the central role in teaching and learning in EFL setting. This paper discusses learning strategies and English language teaching in English foreign language in Iran. The aim of this research paper was to report the results of learning strategies of a group of twenty Iranian students of English, doing their post-graduation. The subjects for this research paper were Persian -speaking students doing M.A. course in Persian Gulf University, Bushehr. In this research paper, two sets of questionnaires were conducted. The first set was a background questionnaire consisted of subjects, gender, age and language attitude etc. The other test was the original test of willing (1994) survey included learning strategies questionnaire. This test consisted of twenty nine -items. Results of the analysis of this paper revealed that leaning strategies is an important criterion in getting the English knowledge of EFL students in their class. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Effective performance in online education increasingly impacts the quality of classes and, consequently, student learning outcomes. This study aims to compare satisfaction levels and learning rates between online and face-to-face methods of teaching medical physiology. Material & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study involved 79 medical students divided into two groups. The first group received instruction on heart physiology (5 weeks, one session per week) online via the Navid system, while the second group received face-to-face instruction. At the study's conclusion, both groups underwent the same test to assess learning outcomes, and satisfaction with the teaching methods was evaluated through a questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using Stata 14 statistical software, employing logistic regression and linear regression models. Results: The two groups differed in terms of the course studied, student nativeness, and satisfaction levels with the educational method. Satisfaction with online education was reported at 69%, compared to 65% for the face-to-face method. The average learning score for students in the online group was 12.93±0.12, while in the face-to-face group, it was 13.48±0.47. However, the linear regression model revealed no significant relationship between students' scores and specific educational methods (p=0.32). Significant relationships were observed between age, nativeness, and dormitory accommodation with satisfaction levels in online education. Conversely, none of the variables showed a significant relationship with satisfaction levels in face-to-face education. Conclusion: Both e-learning and face-to-face methods demonstrated relatively similar effects on students' learning outcomes. However, satisfaction levels with online education appear to be influenced by variables such as age, nativeness, and dormitory accommodation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past, vocabulary teaching and learning were often given little priority in second language programs but recently there has been a renewed interest in the nature of vocabulary and its role in learning and teaching. Although most teachers might be aware of the importance of technology, say, computer, rarely teachers use it for teaching vocabulary. Thus, the current study aims at exploring the effects of CALL on vocabulary learning of Iranian EFL Learners. In this study, 40 intermediate EFL learners, both male and female aged from 16 to 18 studying New Interchange, book III, were chosen randomly from a language institute in Tehran. They were divided into two twenty-member groups. The experimental group was given the VTS.S (a computer program for teaching vocabularies), a computerized dictionary and provided with teacher efeedback. The control group received no special software and vocabularies were taught using the conventional ways with the help of a paper dictionary. A vocabulary pre-test based on the tests available in their teacher's guide was given to both groups. The aim of this test was to make sure that the students were not familiar with the words in advance. By pre-test/post-test comparison researchers found learners exposed to VTS.S teacher e-feedback plus the computerized dictionary scored higher than the control group. Both high-stake and low-stake holders can avail from the findings of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The competence of faculty in conducting e-learning is one of the preconditions for e-learning implementation in a university. This study aimed at investigating the readiness of the faculty members of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences (ARUMS) to have e-learning. Methods: To fulfil this purpose, a triangulation method has been used. In the quantitative section, based on the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) model, the faculty competence in conducting e-learning has been measured in four areas: pedagogical knowledge, technological knowledge, content knowledge, and finally the skill of combining pedagogical knowledge, technological knowledge, and content knowledge. Subsequently, with the qualitative data of the semi-structured interview, the findings of the research have been explained. Finally, the strategies for improving the readiness of ARUMS faculty have been identified in e-learning. Results: One-sample t test with a significant level (P = 0.5) showed that the faculty e-learning of ARUMS had the highest mean of pedagogical knowledge, content knowledge and contentpedagogical knowledge respectively. In other words, the faculty had a high level of pedagogical, content and content-pedagogical knowledge, but they need to improve their technological, technological-content, technological-pedagogical and ultimately, technological-pedagogicalcontent knowledge. Conclusion: That is why, in order to have effective e-learning at ARUMS, the faculty has to improve their technological, technological-content, technological-pedagogical and technological-pedagogical-content knowledge. In this regard, several solutions have been proposed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Revising medical curricula & establishing reformed programs result in refined educational methods which are accompanied by development of active & student-based teaching methods such as Team Based Learning (TBL). This paper describes an experience of implementation and evaluation findings of TBL according to medical students' viewpoints. Methods: This action research was planned for a census sample (n=187) basic science students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences with the new curriculum. After briefing the students about TBL and forming teams we did TBL in the following steps: Individual Readiness Assurance Test (IRAT), Team Readiness Assurance Test(TRAT), appeal, Team Application(TAP), and peer assessment in 15% of each program block. Data gathered by observation recording sheets, and a researcher-made questionnaire, and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A major part of the students (63.8% ) have admitted TBL as a deep learning approach. Students believed that TRATs were useful (46.2%), team application was a learning facilitator in TBL classes (51.7%) and the class management was suitable (60.5%). The observational data showed that the students changed their seats in order to take part in group discussions. They were listening carefully, asking questions and giving reference to support their claims. Some were against this method because it increased their study workload. Conclusion: It seems TBL has a positive effect on deep learning and facilitates learning. The results indicate that TBL results in cooperative & active learning, and it improves class activity and may be, because of the developed interaction between students, it can promote communication skills. We recommend the use of TBL as a teaching method, beside other teaching methods, in medical sciences education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Today modern teaching and learning approaches in medical education have received considerable attention. This paper aims to introduce WebQuest as a new method of inquiry-based learning through the use of Internet. Also its application in medical sciences education in general, and especially nursing education is explained. Methods: To find articles related to the WebQuest topic, the popular databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Nursing Consult, CINAHL, Web of Knowledge were searched using WebQuest related keywords. Very few medical articles were found, and there was no research article published in Iran. Results: WebQuest is a new method of student-centered, inquiry-based learning which uses computer technology to engage and motivate students individually or collaboratively in exploring, analyzing, and synthesizing data to construct a new understanding or meaning. WebQuests, as a student-centered activity, enhance and facilitate higher order cognitive skills, including analysis, synthesis, evaluation and judgment, critical thinking. They also cultivate students' exploratory and problem solving mentality. Based on constructivist learning theory and inquiry learning, WebQuests involve learners in collaborative learning process and group projects. There is a strong link between WebQuests and multi-media techniques which provide significant opportunity for utilizing internet resources in teaching and learning experiences. Conclusion: It seems the concept of WebQuest is still less known both general and higher education, and particularly in medical education in Iran. Introducing this method in medical education which is based on new approaches of teaching and learning processes can provide a different view and encourage students to learn more effectively, deeply, and indelibly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper is an attempt to describe the process that was undertaken to evaluate the textbook English for the Students of Sociology: Social Science Texts taught at the University of Tehran. The purpose of this research project was to determine the overall pedagogical value and suitability of the book toward this specific language program. To achieve this goal, a questionnaire consisting of 20 items and examining 6 factors (practical concerns, materials in relation to course objective, subject matter, linguistic issues, skills and strategies, variety of tasks and activities, and the layout of materials) was used. Participants included 30 students of sociology, who were taking an ESP course at the University of Tehran. The findings indicated that the book, despite having merits, was not very suitable for the course. Suggestions regarding the kinds of activities, strategies, layout and other important issues are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the use of mobile devices can facilitate the learning process, there may be barriers to using them for learning purposes. This study aimed to identify and investigate the barriers and facilitators of using mobile devices as an educational device from the perspective of nursing students. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study was conducted in 2020 on undergraduate nursing students of the Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. A total of 22 undergraduate nursing students were selected by purposive sampling with maximum variability. Inclusion criteria were Undergraduate nursing education, having mobile devices, and willingness to participate in research. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews for 45–75 min in the proposed environment of students until the data were saturated. Data analysis was performed manually using the framework analysis method with the steps: familiarization, identifying a thematic framework, indexing, Charting and Synthesis, Mapping, and Interpretation. Trustworthiness was determined by methods of Credibility, Dependability, Conformability, and Transferability. Results: The majority of participants (45.45%) were 21 years old, 63.63% were women, and 36.36% studied in the 8th semester. Findings from the analysis of interviews showed that barriers to the use of mobile devices were classified into 4 main categories (barriers related to mobile devices, barriers related to Internet access, barriers related to information literacy, cultural-environmental barriers) and 15 subcategories, and facilitating the use of mobile devices was divided into 2 main categories (easy to use mobile devices and easy access to information) and 6 subcategories. Conclusion: The results of this study help educational managers and curriculum planners to adapt to technological change, to focus on the many benefits of mobile devices as an educational tool, and to plan to overcome barriers to mobile device use, and use mobile devices to teach theoretical topics and clinical nursing skills effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has severely influenced various aspects of human life, particularly education. This study aimed to explain the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing education from administrators, educators, and students' perspectives. Methods: This qualitative study with a conventional content analysis approach was conducted from June to October 2020 at a nursing school in Tehran. Thirteen participants were enrolled using purposive sampling. Data collection was through in-depth and semi-structured interviews and continued until reaching data saturation. Nursing administrators, educators, and students constructed interviews to understand nursing education changes during the pandemic. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, reviewed, coded, and analyzed using the Graneheim and Lundman methods. Results: Interviewed respondents included administrators and professors (n = 6) and nursing students (n = 7). The respondents reported five main topic areas: (1) safe management in ambiguous situations; (2) perceived situations; (3) adaptive coping; (4) educational facilitators and challenges, and (5) continuing education in an uncertain context. The central theme was "close conflict of education with COVID-19". Conclusions: The current study noted instability and challenges placed on nursing education during the pandemic. Opportunities were addressed during the pandemic to improve the nursing training process using planning, scientific management, emerging technology, innovative educational opportunities, and comprehensive support from institutional stakeholders. Clear guidelines and recommendations are needed to ensure medical education safety during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient Safety (PS) is a priority for all healthcare organizations. Instilling best practices is necessary for PS improvement. This study assessed the effects of Electronic Learning (e-learning) on PS culture among emergency nurses and nursing managers. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in March-August 2020 using a two-group pre-test, post-test non-randomized design. The study subjects included 69 nurses who were selected from the emergency rooms and 20 nursing managers of two hospitals in Qazvin City, Iran. They were recruited to study through the census sampling method. They were non-randomly allocated to either e-learning or a comparison group. The comparison group received PS-related education through two 1.5-hour lectures on two consecutive days. The experimental group received PS training through a 15-part online course in two months. PS culture was assessed before and 3 months after initiating the intervention. The necessary data were collected through the self-report method using a demographic data questionnaire and the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed by Chi-squared test, Fisher's Exact test, Independent-Samples t-test, Paired-Samples t-test, and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS. Results: The pre-test mean score of PS culture in the e-learning group was significantly less than that in the comparison group (P=0.002). The mean score of PS culture significantly increased in both research groups after the intervention (P<0.05). Besides, the post-test mean score of PS culture in the e-learning group was significantly greater than that in the comparison group (P<0.001). Conclusion: E-Learning is more effective than conventional lecturing in improving PS culture among emergency nurses. This method is suggested to be used as an effective approach to PS culture improvement among emergency nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Improving the competencies of nurses requires improving educational methods through the use of novel methods in teaching and learning. We aim to explore the perceptions of stakeholders (including nursing education directors, faculty members and nursing students) of the requirements of implementing innovative educational approaches in nursing. Methods: In this qualitative descriptive study, 19 participants, including educational directors, faculty members, and undergraduate and graduate nursing students, were selected through the purposeful sampling method. Achieving the theoretical saturation in extracted categories was considered as a criterion for determining the sample size and the completion of sampling. The data were collected from December 2019 to May 2020 in nursing schools of Tehran, Iran, through in-depth semi-structured individual face-to-face interviews and were then analyzed based on the Graneheim and Lundman method. Results: Using qualitative content analysis, eight sub-themes and three themes were extracted. The extracted themes were 'novel educational policymaking', 'Innovative education-oriented platform', and 'managing barriers of innovative educational approaches'. Conclusions: Developing and implementing innovative educational approaches entail providing appropriate context, structure, and required facilities by the policymaking system and educational authorities. In addition, developing capacity and related competencies of faculty members and students as the major stakeholders in employing these approaches is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the impact of educational intervention, based on health belief model (HBM) and collaborative learning techniques on diet quality in adolescents. In this field trial study, 311 students aged 13–15 years old were included, of which 163 and 148 allocated in the experimental and comparison groups, respectively. They were selected through a stratified random sampling from 16 urban, secondary schools in 4 educational districts of Shiraz, the largest city in southern Iran. The revised children diet quality index was used to assess their diet quality. Using HBM as a framework for targeting determinants of dietary behavior, the intervention was performed in a collaborative learning context during the educational year (2015–16). Constructs of HBM and diet quality were measured before and after the intervention. All HBM's constructs and knowledge had significantly improved in the experimental group and mean differences were increased after the intervention. Diet quality improved in the experimental group (P < 0.001), which was significantly different from the comparison group (P = 0.001). The findings support the integration of appropriate models/theories into the context of collaborative learning methods to target large number of behavioral determinants, and ultimately increase the effectiveness of the educational interventions amongst adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The concept of organizational learning has become increasingly popular because of organizational need for adaptation to environmental changes. As learning is essential for the people’s growth it is also important for organizations. Since the organizational knowledge is a strategic asset in an organization, organizational learning has been proposed as a vital source of competitive advantage in strategic management. In addition, the organizational conditions can provide some situations in which organizational learning and knowledge creation can lead to new and better services. Organizational structure iso ne of the most important factors. Objective: The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between organizational structure and organizational learning in Guilan University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: This research is descriptive and co-relational. The variables are by no means controlled and manipulated and the research environment for conducting is natural. Questionnaires were used to collect information for testing hypotheses. To test the reliability of the questionnaires, Cronbach's alpha method was used. The statistical population of this research was all the employees of Guilan University of Medical Sciences (nurses, staff, doctors, etc.). Sample size was determined by using the limited statistical methods (Cochran sample size formula). The samples consisted of 385people. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics (descriptive statistics, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (data normalization, correlation analysis and regression analysis, structural equations) were used. Results: Finally, the research hypotheses were tested using the collected data. It was found that there is a significant relationship between organizational structure and organizational learning in Guilan University of Medical Sciences. The intensity of the relationship between organizational structure and organizational learning was 67%, reduction of formalization and organizational learning 63%, reduction of organizational centralization and organizational learning 61%, and reduction of complexity from a vertical point of view and organizational learning 62%. Beta coefficients show that 24 percent of organizational learning changes are through complexity, 43 percent through formalization, and 13 percent are predicted through centralization, and the rest are due to factors other than organizational structure. Conclusion: It is suggested that attention of Guilan University of Medical Sciences to issues such as employee participation in decision making, delegation of authority to managers, reviewing past activities and facilitating learning can lead to more employees’ satisfaction with organizational structure and organizational learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims at investigating what strategies are more or less common for learning vocabulary among EFL university students at Hakim Sabzevari University in Iran. A questionnaire adapted from the taxonomy of vocabulary learning strategies (VLS) developed by Schmitt (1997) was administered to 74 EFL students (18 males and 56 females).Moreover, semi-structured interviews were also carried out with ten students who completed the written questionnaire to obtain more information about their beliefs and attitudes dealing with vocabulary learning strategies. The results revealed the following order of strategy use by the students from the most frequent to the least frequent one: determination (DET), cognitive (COG), memory (MEM), metacognitive (MET), and social strategies (SOC). In particular, findings indicated that guessing from context and dictionary use strategies were the most popular strategies, while asking the teacher or peers for meaning were rarely used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the Iranian EFL learner's rote learning (RL) strategy use among vocabulary learning strategies. It also intended to find out whether the students' level of L2 proficiency would affect the pattern of their rote learning strategy use. To conduct the study, fifty Iranian EFL learners, studying English at the private language institute, were selected to participate in the experiment, and then, they were divided into low and high intermediate levels based on their scores on FCE test. Two instruments were used to collect the needed data, i.e., a vocabulary learning strategy questionnaire, a vocabulary test. The vocabulary learning strategy questionnaire and the vocabulary test were administered in two consecutive weeks and students completed them in the classroom. The results indicated that Iranian EFL learners used rote learning strategies more frequently than other categories of memory strategy. Besides, the results showed that there was some statistically significant difference between high and low-intermediate learners regarding their rote learning strategy use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]