Reviewing and discussing the development of critical studies in the field of applied linguistics in general and English language teaching (ELT) in particular in Iran, this paper attempts to highlight the main contributions in this field. Introducing a new growing critical-oriented shift in Iranian ELT community as the one which has been mostly dominated by the mainstream ELT is the main interest of this paper. To do so, after providing a scene of the past and current situation of English and ELT in Iran, the most outstanding critical works and the recent developments are classified and presented in three categories including a) English linguistic imperialism, b) ELT materials: nature and function and c) critical pedagogy. While this critical movement, directing the ELT from the mere technical learning of language to the more educational, social and political activity, is still in infancy, the development of politically and ethically motivated studies in this field is a clear indication of a growing critical awareness of the mainstream ELT that ignores the political, cultural, social and ethical issues of English and ELT. Undoubtedly these growing critical works, beginning to grow out of neutralism and objectivism that prevent the applied linguists and ELT professionals from engaging in politically and ethically motivated researches, will widen the global and local perspectives of ELT which has been basically confined to the technical aspects of teaching. To be more realistic, some practical hints and suggestions for further studies have also been provided and put forth.