Teaching English Language

Teaching English Language

Exploring the Perceptions of the Educational Stakeholders Concerning the Most Important Challenges of the Current ELT Curriculum in Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 language and literature department, english language and literature faculty, yazd university, yazd, iran
2 English Department, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.
10.22132/tel.2025.520519.1856
Abstract
Despite severe attempts of the policy makers and curriculum designers, English has failed to have a proper position in the ELT educational system, in Iran, resulting in the week performance of Iranian EFL learners. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the perceptions of the most direct educational stakeholders, concerning the important challenges of the current ELT curriculum. In order to achieve the intended objective, a sequential mixed method survey design was adopted. Moreover, 403 participants from different groups of stakeholders (preservice teachers, in-service teachers, scholars) were selected, and their perceptions were taken into account through various instruments (questionnaire, observation checklist, and interview questions). The results, obtained through qualitative and quantitative analysis of the data, revealed that authenticity, lack of communicative skill, deficiency in teacher training programs, and malfunctioning assessment methods were among the most frequently selected challenges. These viewpoints were different from the perceptions of researchers and policymakers working in this area. Therefore, it would be a good idea to consider the perceptions of direct stakeholders in designing ELT educational syllabi and materials. They are in close contact with the real-world classroom context, and their views may have significant implications for effective material development and curriculum designing.
Keywords

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 17 May 2026

  • Receive Date 01 May 2025
  • Revise Date 18 November 2025
  • Accept Date 10 December 2025