The crucial role of learner emotions in foreign language performance and acquisition

Jean-Marc Dewaele, (Birkbeck, University of London)

I will talk about an emerging area of research in the field of foreign language learning, which was triggered by the introduction of Positive Psychology (Dewaele & MacIntyre, 2014; MacIntyre & Gregersen, 2012). It has focused on the role of positive and negative foreign language learner emotions in the classroom and their effect on performance, beyond the traditional focus on foreign language anxiety. Positive emotions such as Foreign Language Enjoyment and Peace of Mind have been shown to be positively linked to Willingness to Communicate and academic achievement (Botes et al., 2022; Zhou et al., 2022) while Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety and Foreign Language Boredom have the opposite effect (Dewaele et al., 2023). Teacher behaviour in the FL class has been shown to shape learners’ emotions. Establishing a positive emotional atmosphere in the classroom has not only linguistic benefits for learners but can also boost their happiness. 

References 

Botes, E., Dewaele, J.-M., & Greiff, S. (2022). Taking stock: A meta-analysis of the effects of Foreign Language Enjoyment. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching 12(2), 205-232.

Dewaele, J.-M., Botes, E., & Meftah, R. (2023). A Three-Body Problem: The effects of Foreign Language Anxiety, Enjoyment, and Boredom on Academic Achievement. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics 

Dewaele, J.-M., & MacIntyre, P.D. (2014). The two faces of Janus? Anxiety and enjoyment in the foreign language classroom. Studies in Second Language Learning Teaching, 4, 237-274.

MacIntyre, P.D., & Gregersen, T. (2012). Emotions that facilitate language learning: The positive broadening power of the imagination. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching, 2, 193-213.

Zhou, Li, Dewaele, J.-M., Lochtman, K., & Xi, Yiheng  (2021). Foreign language peace of mind: A positive emotion drawn from the Chinese EFL learning context. Applied Linguistics Review