University of IsfahanApplied Research on English Language3134-064414220250401Volume 14, Issue.2, 202511822961210.22108/are.2025.29612ENJournal Article20250615https://are.ui.ac.ir/article_29612_18fd09d1a0c034a7b62a302a5d1f5ed1.pdfUniversity of IsfahanApplied Research on English Language3134-064414220250401Investigating (Im)Politeness in English Comments on Instagram’s Broadcast Pages: Leech's Grand Strategy of Politeness in Focus1282915610.22108/are.2025.143387.2393ENMeisamRahimiCenter of English Language, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran0000-0002-9206-5666RezaNorouziCenter of English Language, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, IranHassanJalaliCenter of English Language, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, IranJournal Article20241121Human beings employ different forms of linguistic politeness to ease communication and reduce the likelihood of conflict. With the rise of technology and social media platforms such as Email, Telegram, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Instagram, the concept of politeness has faced new challenges. The present study focused on Instagram comments and analyzed politeness strategies based on Leech’s grand strategy of politeness. The study examined a 20043-word corpus developed based on 696 posts across various topics on Instagram. The results revealed that Instagram users predominantly utilized negative politeness strategies (63.3%). Among the positive strategies, agreement constraints were the most frequently employed (32.7%), while tact constraint violations (32.1%) were the most common within negative strategies. The study utilized repeated measures of ANOVA and Tukey post hoc analysis via SPSS to examine differences among various constraints and their violations. Significant differences were found among most constraints, except for tact and modesty, generosity, and feeling reticence. In terms of constraint violations, no significant differences were observed between approbation and obligation of the speaker to others constraint violation, between agreement constraint violation and generosity constraint violation, between agreement and obligation of others to a speaker constraint violation, between agreement constraint violation and opinion reticence constraint violation, between sympathy and modesty constraint violation, between sympathy and feeling reticence constraint violation. The findings underscore the importance of analyzing language in specific media, providing insights into politeness and impoliteness in a specific medium. The results can enhance students' pragmatic skills and improve their online communication, prompting materials developers to consider such pragmatic dimensions.https://are.ui.ac.ir/article_29156_41f8723f670f4701d461ef58b46de609.pdfUniversity of IsfahanApplied Research on English Language3134-064414220250401Exploring Research Designs, Purposes, and Tools of Data Collection in Applied Linguistics Mixed Methods Research29522913210.22108/are.2024.143269.2390ENAbdollahBapiriDepartment of English Language and Literature, Urmia University, Urmia, IranParvizAlaviniaDepartment of English Language and Literature, Urmia University, Urmia, IranJournal Article20241102Evaluating research designs plays a pivotal role in promoting principled Mixed Methods Research (MMR). Although the quality of mixed methods designs has been among the most debated topics, scant attention has been drawn to the investigation of Applied Linguistics (AL) Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC) journals. Informed by this gap, the present exploratory sequential mixed methods study aimed at analyzing the research designs, tools of data collection, and purposes of 303 MMR articles published in 12 leading ISC journals. This involved a qualitative content analysis using a code sheet based on established MMR typologies, followed by a quantitative frequency analysis to determine the prevalence of these coded categories. The findings indicated that sequential designs were more frequently used in the corpus. Moreover, as regards the tools of data collection, questionnaires and interviews were the most commonly utilized ones. Finally, exploration purpose was the prime purpose opted for by the researchers in the study corpus. The study highlights the importance of conducting principled MMR through the reconceptualization of designs from method to methodology level. It further argues for a systemic view of MMR in which there is a cyclic interaction among fully integrated stages of an MMR design. The implications of the findings are discussed throughout the paper.https://are.ui.ac.ir/article_29132_77b1ef1cfd49cba9d53f0190d23eeb5a.pdfUniversity of IsfahanApplied Research on English Language3134-064414220250401Vietnamese English for Specific Purposes Teachers’ Assessment Strategies for Meeting Hospitality Industry Demands53762924610.22108/are.2025.143649.2410ENCuong Huy PhamPhamFaculty of English, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamDuyenNguyen Thien NgoFaculty of English, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamJournal Article20241212The present study aims to explore Vietnamese English for Specific Purposes (ESP) teachers’ assessment strategies to support students’ preparation for industry demands in the hospitality sector. Using a qualitative design, it employed a two-staged data collection process comprising a narrative frame and semi-structured interviews with five experienced ESP teachers from a university in Vietnam. The data were analyzed drawing on an inductive approach to content analysis. The findings showed the teachers’ support for devising authentic assessment strategies based on available teaching materials and ESP resources to respond to industry requirements. They emphasized the need for more stringent collaboration between educational institutions and industry stakeholders to develop more relevant assessment strategies, and investment in dedicated learning resources to better prepare students for workplace communication. Additionally, the teachers advocated for specialized assessments that addressed the limitations of traditional language proficiency tests and aligned more closely with the linguistic and communicative demands of the hospitality industry. This study provides actionable recommendations for ESP teachers, program developers and course coordinators to design and deploy authentic assessment strategies that simulate real-life professional scenarios, consequently enhancing students’ employability.https://are.ui.ac.ir/article_29246_a6f036bfb190aa65794065cf8b39b983.pdfUniversity of IsfahanApplied Research on English Language3134-064414220250401Unveiling the Academic Job Rejection Strategies in an English as an International Language Context771002929210.22108/are.2025.144040.2444ENMohammad RezaGhorbaniDepartment of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Humanities, University of Bojnord, Bojnord, IranFarhadGhiasvandPostdoctoral Research Fellow of Applied Linguistics, Department of English Language and Literature, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, IranRezaAhmadiEnglish Language Teaching Department, Ayatollah Ozma Borujerdi University, Borujerd, IranJournal Article20250113Many researchers have explored the speech act of refusals across various genres, languages, and contexts. However, little is known about how refusals are conveyed in academic job applications by Asia-Pacific and European institutions. To address this gap, the current cross-cultural study analyzed a corpus of naturally occurring academic job rejection emails from different universities. Using Beebe et al.’s (1990) taxonomy of refusals, a total of 85 rejection letters was collected and examined. The results revealed that while both Asia-Pacific and European universities employed similar refusal strategies, the frequency differed significantly: European universities used 219 refusal strategies, compared to only 60 by Asia-Pacific institutions. Both regions primarily relied on “indirect” refusal strategies and “adjuncts” to protect the applicant’s face. Interestingly, “direct” refusal strategies, which are more face-threatening, were notably more common in European universities’ responses. The study concludes with insights and recommendations for making the academic job application process more considerate for both applicants and institutions.https://are.ui.ac.ir/article_29292_250e6680359698a456214fcf4fd7af4d.pdfUniversity of IsfahanApplied Research on English Language3134-064414220250401Online Games and AI ChatGPT: 7th Grade English as a Foreign Language Learners’ Vocabulary Acquisition and Preferences in the UAE1011302941510.22108/are.2025.143808.2420ENGhalebRabab'ahDepartment of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Foreign Languages, The University of Jordan, Jordan
Department of Foreign Languages, College of Arts, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAEAliAbuSeileekDepartment of Curriculum and Instruction, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Al al-bayt University, JordanMohammed NourAbu GubaLanguage Center, University of SharjahMohammad ABani YounesDepartment of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Al al-Bayt University, JordanJournal Article20241228Extensive research has been conducted on the intersection of digital games and AI, exploring how it impacts the diverse variables of education, such as proficiency, vocabulary, and motivation. However, there is a lack of studies that have comprehensively assessed the combined impact of digital games and AI applications on enhancing six aspects of vocabulary. This study focused on finding the possible effect of using the combination of digital games and the Artificial Intelligence Chat GPT application technique (AIGames) on developing the 7th-grade EFL learners’ vocabulary acquisition and their attitude toward such a technique. Based on an experimental and descriptive design, a quantitative approach was used. The participants were assigned to two groups randomly: the experimental group, which studied using this technique, and the control group, which was taught using the regular instruction method. The study used two instruments: a pre-posttest and an attitude scale (questionnaire). The findings revealed statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups in vocabulary learning due to using the AIGames technique in favor of the experimental group. The post-test results (Table 2) revealed significant improvements across all six vocabulary aspects, with the largest gains in <em>denotation</em> (experimental group: M=7.82 vs. control: M=4.56) and <em>spelling</em> (M=7.59 vs. 5.38). Pronunciation showed the slightest improvement (M=5.41 vs. 3.69), suggesting that the AIGames technique was less effective for this aspect. The study also showed that most participants in the experimental group had a positive attitude towards using the new technique in learning vocabulary. Moreover, the study revealed no correlation between the experimental students’ achievement in vocabulary and their perception of using the AIGames technique.https://are.ui.ac.ir/article_29415_bf35935e5238a0b31caae18083976237.pdfUniversity of IsfahanApplied Research on English Language3134-064414220250401An Investigation into the Relationship among Personality Types, Foreign Language Anxiety, and Locus of Control: Iranian EFL Learners in Focus1311582948110.22108/are.2025.143849.2424ENMinoo SadatVagheiCenter of English Language, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, IranZohrehKashkouliCenter of English Language, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, IranGholam RezaZareiCenter of English Language, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran0000-0002-5525-2876Journal Article20241231One of the key components for effective communication and promoting second/foreign language learners’ ability to produce meaningful performance is controlling their language anxiety. This study investigated the relationships among personality types, locus of control, and foreign language anxiety within the context of Iranian EFL learners. A non-experimental type based on a quantitative approach, the present study enjoyed a correlational design. Its participants were 317 Iranian EFL learners who all were undergraduate university students from both genders. The context of this study was the EFL face-to-face educational settings and the participants were from different fields of study at the university level in Iran. Data collection was conducted via three psychological questionnaires for measuring the variables. For data analysis, Pearson correlation and Regression analysis were used to specify the correlation between variables. To examine the mediation role of variables, Z Sobel and Bootstrapping tests were incorporated in the analysis. This study revealed significant relationships among participants’ personality types (extroversion and introversion), locus of control, and foreign language anxiety. The findings showed that there was a significant negative relationship between personality and locus of control and also a significant negative relationship between personality types and foreign language anxiety. Mediation analyses further illuminated the negative mediating role of the locus of control and the positive mediating role of the personality, shedding light on their nuanced dynamics. This study has implications for language educators, practitioners, and policymakers in terms of tailoring interventions to address individual differences and create supportive learning environments.https://are.ui.ac.ir/article_29481_05aef95abd50e4b43cab0e6404276bbd.pdfUniversity of IsfahanApplied Research on English Language3134-064414220250401An Analysis of Language Use and Food Menu Naming of Thai Dishes on Social Media1591822940310.22108/are.2025.143820.2422ENPiyadaLowFaculty of Management Sciences, Kasetsart University Sriracha Campus, Chonburi, ThailandJournal Article20241229The study investigates the popularity, language use, and food menu naming of Thai cuisine on international social media by analyzing 210 Thai food dishes from Allrecipes, a leading cooking and recipe website. Data were categorized to identify popular dishes and the top six food groups were found: curry, Pad Thai, soup, sauce, rice, and noodles. Curry dishes, particularly green and red curry, are the most popular followed by Pad Thai and soups like Tom Kha Gai and Tom Yum. Thai food names are predominantly translated into English with additional descriptors. English transliterations are used for iconic and national dishes like Pad Thai and Tom Yum, reflecting a global preference for accessible names. A free program called HK Coder was employed to analyze the data, determine word frequency, and identify keywords. The linguistic analysis revealed frequent terms such as "Thai", "chicken", and "curry" highlighting the significance of national identity and key ingredients of Thai cuisine. Remarkably, a less traditional dish ‘Peanut Butter Noodles’ also received high ratings as a popular dish, indicating a blending of Thai flavors with Western preferences. The study provides insights into how Thai food is perceived and adapted internationally, contributing to the understanding of cross-cultural culinary exchanges.https://are.ui.ac.ir/article_29403_cc3e4039bb5cd2441a646687d85e0011.pdf