The present study was an attempt to investigate EFL learners’ perception of task difficulty. Twenty adult Iranian learners participated in this study on a volunteer basis. Drawing upon current models of task difficulty, the researchers managed to operationally define four oral narrative tasks of varying degrees of complexity. Having performed the tasks, the participants attended a round of retrospective interviews. The qualitative analysis brought to light five major themes. To explore how current models of task difficulty would explain the learners’ attitude toward task demands, these categories were juxtaposed with Skehan’s model and Robinson’s triadic componential framework. In this connection, the protocols were investigated from a cognitive, information-processing perspective on task-based language teaching and the most relevant implications were discussed.

The present study addresses the issue of task difficulty which is a major challenge for those concerned with task-based language teaching and syllabus design. The main focus of the study is on identifying possible sources and factors as the determinants of L2 task difficulty. The various taxonomies identifying a range of factors contributing to task difficulty will be discussed and some models of taxonomies and criteria of task difficulty will be proposed which will be of particular relevance and help for both pedagogic and research purposes.

We conducted this study in the Agogo Traditional Area of the Ashanti region of Ghana where there are numerous cases of conflicts between crop and animal farmers as a result of insufficient pasture for livestock, especially during the dry seasons. This has drawn the attention of various stakeholders in agriculture to the need for supplement feed through pasture establishment. The study examines farmers’ perception and the financial viability of pasture establishment for small ruminant production. The specific objectives of the study are as follow: to identify the cost and returns for the establishment of an acre of pasture, to assess the financial viability of pasture establishment on ‘cut and sell’ basis, to investigate farmers’ perception of pasture establishment for cattle production, to conduct a SWOT analysis of the establishment of pasture in Agogo. The study purports to analyze in detail, farmers' perceptions about the nature of the proposed 'Fodder Bank' policy and its likely effect on crop and livestock production, and whether the proposed policy could generate adequate monetary returns to induce its adoption at the farm level. The study seeks to provide evidence in support of SDG goals 2 (Zero hunger) and 12 (Responsible consumption and production) of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. To the authors' best of knowledge, this is envisage to provide valuable information to support policy initiatives intended to tackle the root cause of farmer-herder conflicts. The Asante Akim North Municipal is one of the 27 administrative Districts in the Ashanti Region. Its capital is Konongo- Odumasi. The population for this study comprises livestock and crop farmers in Agogo. Asante Akim North Municipal was purposively selected for the study because it is noted for its agrarian abilities and massive production of food in the Ashanti region. The multi stage sampling was employed in this study. At the first stage, Asante Agogo traditional area was selected purposively due to the fact that majority of the inhabitants engage in agricultural activities (GSS 2010). At the second stage, three communities in Agogo namely, Hwidiem, Ananekrom and Bebuso were selected purposively. At the third stage, quota sampling was used to obtain a specific number of farmers from each of the three communities to sum up to 150 respondents as shown in table. Simple random sampling technique was then used to engage the selected farmers in these communities. A sample size of 150 respondents were obtained using the Slovin’s formulae which is a scientific method of obtaining the sample size for a given population. Structured questionnaires consisting of open and close ended questions were used to gather primary data from respondents through face-to-face interviews. Interviews were conducted using the local dialect mostly to enhance communication and to clear all language barriers but English was used where the respondents could give accurate answers in English Language. Data per the questionnaires from respondents were concerning their perception of pasture establishment and the assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of pasture establishment. Secondary data was sought from books, journals, dissertations and the internet. Useful and relevant information on the appropriate materials and their costs for establishing pasture was also obtained from the Agogo MoFA office, and the KNUST Department of Animal Science. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, tables and means were used to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of respondents. It was revealed in the study that majority of crop farmers have had their crops destroyed by ruminants especially cattle at least once. Additionally, the study showed that pasture establishment is one way through which crop farms destruction by livestock can be prevented as about 99% of farmers responded in the affirmative. The results for the financial viability of the venture under the assumptions used gave relevant results with BCR of 1.18 and NPV of GHC 3,160. The Internal Rate Return of the venture is estimated at 40.1% and a Pay Back period of 2.61 years. Therefore, it will be economically prudent for investors to commit resources towards establishing pasture. The perception index for commercial, economic and financial concerns of pasture establishment was 3.7 which is skewed toward agree. The statement that had the highest positive perception index was about the fact that pasture establishment will increase the quality of meat. This implies that respondents perceive that the commercial, economic and financial results of pasture establishment will be positive. The perception index for the social category was 3.66. The statement with the highest positive assertion by respondents is the fact that pasture establishment will help control the movement of animals. The perception index of 3.66 which is skewed towards agree means that pasture establishment will attract the support from the community and also bring more benefits to the society. In the category of technical concerns of pasture establishment, the overall perception index for this category is 3.15, which means that the respondents perceive they have a fair technical know- how concerning pasture establishment even though the venture requires technical know-how. In the category of institutional concerns, support and involvement in pasture establishment, the statement with the highest perception index is that MoFA will support farmers with the necessary resources in its capacity. With reference to the chi-square test, the study can conclude that there is a significant relationship between the type of farmer and the perception that support can be drawn from farmer-based associations, and the perception that pasture establishment will increase livestock production as well as the general sales of farmers. Lastly, the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between the educational background of the farmer and the perception that it is not difficult to select planting materials for pasture establishment. Farmers in Asante Akim Agogo should adopt the establishment of pasture since it is financially viable. The establishment of pasture in Asante Akim Agogo should be encouraged since it has the potency to reduce the farmer - herder conflicts and ensure food security. For successful pasture establishment, technical know-how is essential.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to compare the sense of belonging to the school, the perception of the school atmosphere and the academic vitality of elementary school boys in non-profit and normal schools in Qain city. Method: The method of this research was descriptive and comparative. The statistical population of this research included all elementary students of non-profit and normal schools in Qain city in the academic year of 2023-2024. From among the statistical population, 114 students (57 regular students and 57 male students from non-profit schools) were selected as the research sample using available sampling method. In order to collect research data, Barry, Betty and Watt (2004) School Belonging Questionnaire, Reddy and Rhodes (2007) Perception of School Atmosphere Questionnaire and Martin and Marsh (2008) Academic Vitality Questionnaire were used. In order to analyze the research data, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used. Findings: The results of the research data analysis showed that there is a significant difference between the variables of feeling of belonging to school, perception of school atmosphere and academic vitality in non-profit and normal school students (p<0.005). In other words, the sense of belonging to the school, the perception of the school atmosphere, and the academic vitality of non-profit students are more than the students of normal schools.Conclusion:The results of this research showed that the scores of normal students in the studied variables are lower than those of non-profit students, so normal schools should provide training to strengthen academic variables

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of task difficulty and the effectiveness of attentional instructions (baseline, internal and external) on balance task performance. Recent studies have shown that performer’s focus of attention plays an important role in the performance and learning motor skills, specifically when the task is novel and challenging for the performer. Forty eight students participated in this study and were divided randomly into two groups. Participants in each group performed three 15 balance tasks on a digital stabilimeter under each three conditions; without instructions, internal attentional focus, and external attentional focus. The results indicated that the performance of the difficult task group under external attentional focus was significantly better than other two conditions, while there wasn’t any significant difference in sway index among baseline, external instructions and internal focus conditions in each task group. It means that external focus will be more effective if the task is more challenging for performer. Therefore, the results indicate that the effectiveness of attentional focus as a learning variable depends on the difficulty of task.

Different methods of language teaching have tried to help EFL learners to develop good language skills based on their various perspectives. Research findings have underscored the effect of using task types in promoting language skills in terms of accuracy in written discourse. Therefore, this study set out to investigate whether there is an evidence of correct use of simple past tense (Accuracy) based on Task Complexity (Task type: Here-and now & There-and-then),Task Conditions (Gender: Male & Female), and Task Difficulty (Proficiency: Lower-intermediate & Intermediate). Sixty Iranian English learners in a language institute participated in the study and were assigned to four groups of lower-intermediate male, lower-intermediate female, intermediate male and intermediate female. Initial homogeneity of the groups was verified using two general proficiency tests; KET for lower-intermediate and PET for intermediate. All groups in here-and-now task type were asked to write a story using simple past based on a picture strip while for there-and-then task type the participants were supposed to write about their last birthday. The results from paired samples t-test, independent samples t-test and two-way ANOVA analysis of the written data revealed significant differences in performing task types, at different proficiency levels and interaction between them. The findings have significant pedagogical implications for EFL learners to understand the relationship among Task Complexity, Task Conditions, Task Difficulty and L2 written production leading to various degrees of Accuracy.