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The impact of the non-native speaker's (NNS) language proficiency on their personal teaching performance has often been an issue in TESOL teacher education programmes. To explore this issue a study was conducted to investigate the link between language teachers' language proficiency and their teaching effectiveness. Classes taught by eight NNS teachers teaching the same or similar content were observed. Teaching effectiveness and teacher language proficiency were measured both through self-ratings and by independent raters. Teachers were compared in terms of such criteria as the quantity and quality of input provided, the amount and accuracy of metalanguage used, the extent and quality of feedback offered as well as classroom management skills. The results suggest that while language proficiency contributes to teaching effectiveness, other aspects of teaching are unrelated to a teacher's command of their second language (L2).

This paper explores the place of English in Iran. To do this, we look at the social presence of English in Urmia (the capital of West Azerbaijan province, Iran). The paper draws on instances of the use of English in different contexts in Urmia, including its use in academia, business, state and private education, media, and people's ordinary lives. The idea of English in Iran is also investigated by studying a cohort of 115 English language learners' motivations towards learning English as well as their attitudes towards the language. The results suggest that English has an active status in Urmia, alongside Turkish, Persian and Kurdish, and is regarded as an important international language among Iranians living in Urmia as well as one that accrues a number of social benefits to its users.

Purpose – Mastery of spoken English is a priority for many learners of English in Iran. Opportunities to acquire spoken English through the public school system are very limited, hence many students enroll in “conversation” courses in private institutes. The purpose of this paper is to report a study of how institute teachers address the teaching of spoken English. Design/methodology/approach – Eighty-nine teachers completed a questionnaire on how they teach spoken English. The information was supplemented with interviews and classroom observation. Findings – Results suggest that institute courses reflect a poor understanding of the nature of spoken interaction, which is reflected in speaking courses that are unfocused and that do not address key aspects of conversational interaction. Practical implications – Suggestions are given for a re-examination of the differences between “conversation” and “discussion” in spoken English classes as the basis for designing spoken English classes and materials, as well as for the use of out-of-class learning opportunities to enhance the learning of spoken English in Iran and elsewhere. Originality/value – This paper is based on the authors’ original research, and the authors believe this is the first study of its kind in the Iranian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]