Description
Book SynopsisPositive psychology is the scientific study of how human beings prosper and thrive. This is the first book in SLA dedicated to theories in positive psychology and their implications for language teaching, learning and communication. Chapters examine the characteristics of individuals, contexts and relationships that facilitate learning: positive emotional states such as love, enjoyment and flow, and character traits such as empathy, hardiness and perseverance. The contributors present several innovative teaching ideas to bring out these characteristics among learners. The collection thus blends new teaching techniques with cutting-edge theory and empirical research undertaken using qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods approaches. It will be of interest to SLA researchers, graduate students, trainee and experienced teachers who wish to learn more about language learning psychology, individual differences, learner characteristics and new classroom practices.
Trade ReviewWith a decidedly positive outlook on applied linguistics stemming from positive psychology, this volume piques the interest of teachers and researchers alike by shedding light on language learning and empowerment, happiness, resilience, melody, stress reduction and enjoyment as well as success. No wonder that this book is a joy to read!
* Kata Csizér, Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary *
This volume offers a refreshing perspective on the process of learning and teaching new languages, highlighting the diverse ways in which learners and teachers draw on the many positive aspects of the human condition in their development as users of a non-native language. Without understating the difficulties that trouble language learning, this book provides a well-grounded basis for future studies using theoretical perspectives from positive psychology, and inspires teaching practices that recognize the human potential to thrive and grow.
* Kimberley A. Noels, University of Alberta, Canada *
This book is about the dynamics of happiness in language learning, the ripples that interact with other ripples, not necessarily in unison, but providing a goal and resources for processes of development. The contributions aim to show the positive sides of language teaching and learning without ignoring or denying the negative ones. They strive to reach a balance that allows for human agency to frame existences and hopes. The authors aim to move beyond the ‘Don’t worry, be happy’ level by using carefully defined concepts and rigorous methodology.
* Kees de Bot, University of Groningen, Netherlands *
Second language learning is a new area for Positive Psychology and these authors have found that it is a surprising and remarkable aide.
* Martin Seligman, Director of the Penn Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania, USA and author of Flourish: A New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being - and How To Achieve Them *
The book defends itself as a worthy source of knowledge on the theory, research and practice of positive psychology in specific areas of foreign language teaching and learning. I fully endorse and recommend the volume for its expertise and scholarly discipline on the one hand and for the excitement and creativity it encourages on the other.
-- Danuta Gabryś-Barker University of Silesia, Poland * SSLLT 6 (3). 2016. 541-546 *
MacIntyre et al.’s edited volume is a thorough work on the application of positive psychological principles on applied linguistics and language learning endeavours. The theories reviewed, the data analysed and the practices presented, will certainly appeal to scholars, curriculum developers, language teaching practitioners, teachers’ educators and pre-service language teachers. The volume is accessible and reads quite easily.
-- Jose Ignacio Aguilar Río, Sorbonne Nouvelle-Paris 3 University, France * LINGUIST List: Vol-28-382, 2017 *
Table of Contents1. Tammy Gregersen, Peter D. MacIntyre and Sarah Mercer: Introduction
2. Rebecca Oxford: Toward a Psychology of Well-Being for Language Learners: The “EMPATHICS” Vision
3. Sarah Mercer: Seeing the World Through Your Eyes: Empathy in Language Learning and Teaching
4. Joseph Falout: The Dynamics of Past Selves in Language Learning and Well-Being
5. Ana Maria Ferreira Barcelos and Hilda Simone H. Coelho: Language Learning and Teaching: What’s Love Got to Do with It?
6. Tammy Gregersen, Peter D. MacIntyre and Margarita Meza: Positive Psychology Exercises Build Social Capital for Language Learners: Preliminary Evidence
7. Phil Hiver: The Triumph over Experience: Hope and Hardiness in Novice L2 Teachers
8. Éva Czimmermann and Katalin Piniel: Advanced Language Learners’ Experiences of Flow in the Hungarian EFL Classroom
9. Jean-Marc Dewaele and Peter D. MacIntyre: Foreign Language Enjoyment and Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety: The Right and Left Foot of the Language Learner
10. J. Lake: Accentuate the Positive: Conceptual and Empirical Development of the Positive L2 Self and its Relationship to L2 Proficiency
11. Zana Ibrahim: Affect in Directed Motivational Currents: Positive Emotionality in Long-Term L2 Engagement
12. R. Kirk Belnap, Jennifer Brown, Dan P. Dewey, Linnea P. Belnap and Patrick R. Steffen: Project Perseverance: Helping Students Become Self-Regulating Learners
13. Marc Helgesen: Happiness in ESL/EFL: Bringing Positive Psychology to the Classroom
14. Tim Murphey: Teaching to Learn and Well-Become: Many Mini-Renaissances
15. Candy Fresacher: Why and How to Use Positive Psychology Activities in the Second Language Classroom
16. M.C. Fonseca-Mora and F. Herrero Machancoses: Music and Language Learning: Emotions and Engaging Memory Pathways
17. Peter D. MacIntyre, Tammy Gregersen and Sarah Mercer: Conclusion
