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Advancing Research on Positive Psychology in SLA
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12 January 2027
Demonstrates how Positive Psychology can be meaningfully applied in real-world language education contexts
Within the field of second language acquisition, there has been a vast expansion of positive psychology research, and this increasing interest has been accompanied by critical reflection on the scope, validity and future direction of the approach.
This volume actively engages with key debates in the field and employs innovative methodologies and interdisciplinary perspectives to demonstrate the dynamic interplay of emotions, contextual social influences and learners’ pedagogical experiences.
Bridging research and practice, this book takes stock of a decade of growth in the field to critically evaluate current developments, offer a forward-looking agenda for future study and demonstrate how positive psychology can be meaningfully applied in real-world language education contexts.
This invaluable resource will cater to researchers passionate about language acquisition and psychology, introducing the lens of positive psychology for those new to this area of scholarship. It will also appeal to pre- and in-service language teachers keen to explore the psychological and emotional principles that underlie effective language learning.
Tammy Gregersen is Associate Professor of Linguistics at Baylor University, USA. She has published extensively on teacher wellbeing, individual differences, teacher education, language teaching methodology, positive psychology and nonverbal communication in language classrooms.
Meagan Driver is Assistant Professor of Teaching, Curriculum, and Change in the Warner School of Education and Human Development at the University of Rochester, USA. Her scholarship in applied linguistics focuses on heritage language education and second language acquisition, and she is Associate Editor at System.
Sarah Mercer is Professor of Foreign Language Teaching and Head of ELT Research and Methodology at the University of Graz, Austria. Her research interests include all aspects of psychology related to the learning and teaching of foreign languages and she is co-editor of Multilingual Matters’ Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching book series.
Peter D. MacIntyre is Professor of Psychology at Cape Breton University, Canada. He has received awards for teaching excellence (Atlantic Association of Universities), contribution to the study of language (the Gardner Award and the Mildenberger Prize), publication in language and social psychology (Harwood Award) and service to students and the community.
Chapter 1. Tammy Gregersen, Sarah Mercer: Introduction
Chapter 2. Julia Aigner, Sarah Mercer: Positive Psychology in Language Education: Taking Stock, Looking Back to Look Ahead
Chapter 3. Christina Gkonou: Embracing the Spectrum of Emotions: Understanding the Functionality of Positive and Negative Emotions
Chapter 4. Rieko Nishida, Tomoko Yashima, Tomoki Takagi: Engaging Japanese Junior High Students in English Learning: Focusing on Positive and Negative Emotions
Chapter 5. Amy S. Thompson: Showcasing Positive Psychology with Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants
Chapter 6. Enhao Feng, Chengchen Li, Pia Resnik: Achievement Goals in SLA: A Person-Centered Approach to Its Links with L2 Engagement and Achievement
Chapter 7. Katalin Piniel, Kinga Petrovics, Anna Zólyomi: Language Learners’ Self-Efficacy and Peer Assessment: A Positive Psychological Design-Based Intervention
Chapter 8. Jean-Marc Dewaele, Elouise Botes: Socio-Demographic Variables as Sources of Variation in Foreign Language Emotions: A Cautionary Tale About Snowball Sampling
Chapter 9. Gholam Hassan Khajavy, Soheila Soleimanzadeh, Mahdieh Vaziri: Exploring Social Context in Language Learning: Unveiling the Neglected Pillar of Positive Psychology
Chapter 10. Luis Javier Pentón Herrera, Anna Becker: “It Disposed Me to Reflect on My Life”: The Effect of Positive Psychology Interventions on Students’ Emotional Intelligence
Chapter 11. María Matilde Olivero, María Celina Barbeito: Pre-Service Teachers’ Responses to a Positive Psychology Intervention in an EFL Practicum
Chapter 12. Tammy Gregersen, Iman Kamel Ahmed, Maria A. Meza: Beyond the Lesson Plan: Tracking the Emotional Pulse and Wellbeing of Tomorrow's English Teachers
Chapter 13. Peter MacIntyre, Meagan Driver: Positive Psychology in SLA: A New and Generative Stage