“It is absolutely essential that we establish and apply a wide variety of relevant and contextually appropriate criteria for the evaluation of the textbooks that we use in our language classrooms” (Litz,2000). ELT materials (textbooks) play a really crucial role in many language classrooms, but in recent years there has been a lot of debate throughout the ELT profession on the actual role of materials in teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language (TESL/TEFL). Some issues that have been discussed in recent years include textbook design and practicality, methodological validity, the role of textbooks in innovation, the authenticity of materials in terms of their representation of language, and the appropriateness of gender representation, subject matter, and cultural components. This study aims at an investigation into Touchstone series in Iran EFL context. To this end, forty highly experienced teachers (20 males and 20 females) holding degree from BA to Ph.D. and age range 24-35 were called for cooperation. A forty item questionnaire adapted from David R.A. Litz (2000) was used to elicit information needed for the study. The data obtained through the questionnaire were subject to basic statistics and Independent Sample T-test to check the significance of difference between male and female responses. Results indicated that Touchstone series was a suitable and appropriate device for language teachers to obtain their aims as well as the aims of the language institutes and that except for practical considerations of the books there was no statistically significant difference between the attitudes of male and female teachers towards the series
The results of this study is to be used for health and medical authorities, It is recommended that Training programs with emphasis on changing knowledge, perceived severity and benefit, and self-efficacy, toward improving the health of women should be designed and implemented.Background: Women of all ages are at risk for developing breast cancer. More than 90% of patients can be treated if diagnosed early. However, most women do not perform a regular BSE (Breast Self-Examination), which is an effective and inexpensive way to prevent considerable cancer-related death and morbidity. Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the impact of Health Belief Model (HBM)based training on BSE behavior. Patients and Methods:The study involved a controlled intervention performed with 200 women referred to health centers in Zahedan; 100 women were included in the intervention group and 100 other women in the control group. Before undertaking intervention training, a questionnaire designed according to HBM principles was completed by the subjects. The intervention training was then carried out with the intervention group using a lecture, question and answer sessions, and a film. Two months after the intervention, the questionnaire was readministered. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19 software, an independent t-test, a paired t-test, and a chi-square analysis; P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The independent t-test showed that before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in mean knowledge scores or HBM parameters among the control and intervention groups (P > 0.05). However, a significant difference was found after the intervention as the mean knowledge score increased and the HBM parameters differed in the intervention group (P < 0.05). A paired t-test showed that the mean differences in knowledge scores and HBM parameters before and after the intervention were statistically significant (P < 0.05), but no significant before and after differences were identified among the control group (P > 0.05). Before the study, the percentage of women who regularly performed a BSE was 7% in the intervention group, but this was increased to 51% after the intervention. Conclusion: It seems that a training program based on HBM principles is effective for inducing BSE behavior. Also, based on the findings of this study, there may be a need to increase the awareness of the perceived severity of breast cancer and the possible benefits of BSE and a self-efficacy approach to health. It is recommended that training programs emphasizing such changes be designed and implemented.
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