Boosting Mental Health and Facilitating Self-organization of Information in Mind among Students Taking EGP Course at Ardabil University of Medical Sciences

 Mental health is one of the non-intentional factors that affect the learning outcome. Teaching the English language may improve by taking mental health into account. English language learners may suffer from mental pressure, which can negatively influence their mental health and inhibit the self-organization of the information in their mind, especially in long-term memory. Therefore, the present study was carried out to apply new methods in English language teaching by considering mental health to boost and improve mental abilities in English language learning, which is supposed to improve the process of self-organization of the information in mind and increase learning health accordingly. 

 To do the present quasi-experimental research, 203 male and female EFL learners at Ardabil University of Medical Sciences were selected and divided into experimental (93 students) and control (110 students) groups. The experimental group received a 12-week intervention comprising three phases: language tree, scenario writing, and verbal visualization techniques to improve their imagination and develop learning experiences using the Learning Second Language Motivational Self-system (L2MSS). A Likert scale self-report questionnaire on learners' L2MSS was administered before and after the interventions. Also, we used the Oxford Placement Test to assess the proficiency level of the participants. An interview with selected students followed this. We used T-test and ANOVA to analyze the collected data.

 Findings indicated that the intervention activities were more effective (p=0.02) in improving the learning experience and motivation of the experimental group participants (MD=2.57, SD=9.7) compared to the control group (MD=-1.25, SD=6.9). Qualitative interview data suggest that the participants find scenario writing more effective than other interventions in increasing their learning experiences motivation. Also, the findings indicated a non-significant effect of language proficiency on the rate of motivation increase.

 It has been found that incorporating visual and imaginative techniques into language learning can significantly benefit the learner's mental well-being and future success. Specifically, this approach can improve motivation, make the learning process more accessible, and help self-regulate English language information in mind. Overall, this can lead to a more efficient and effective learning experience.