A Comparative Study on Persian EFL Teachers in Schools and Language Institutes: A Case of Learner's Attitude towards Humor in Foreign Language Classrooms

摘要

The present study was an attempt to compare the different uses of humour among EFL learners which have been used in public schools with ones enrolled in language learning institutes. Data were collected using a Pedagogical Humor Questionnaire which was distributed among 400 female students (high school students=200, language institute learners=200) studying English in Shiraz, Iran. The data were analyzed using an independent sample T-test. The results showed language institute teachers and learners use humor more than the learners and teachers of schools. Both groups of participants indicated that they believed humor could be a productive tool in learning EFL and reducing affective barriers.