Positive Psychology in SLA

Peter D. MacIntyre is Professor of Psychology at Cape Breton University, Canada. His research examines emotion, motivation and cognition across a variety of types of behavior, including interpersonal communication, public speaking and learning.  Tammy Gregersen is Professor of TESOL at the University of Northern Iowa, USA. She studies emotion and affect as it relates to second language learning, methodology and nonverbal communication.  Sarah Mercer is Professor of Foreign Language Teaching at the University of Graz, Austria. Her research interests include all aspects of the psychology surrounding the foreign language learning experience, focusing in particular on self.

With 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!

• 1. Tammy Gregersen, Peter D. MacIntyre and Sarah Mercer: Introduction2. Rebecca Oxford: Toward a Psychology of Well-Being for Language Learners: The “EMPATHICS” Vision3. Sarah Mercer: Seeing the World Through Your Eyes: Empathy in Language Learning and Teaching4. Joseph Falout: The Dynamics of Past Selves in Language Learning and Well-Being5. 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 Evidence7. Phil Hiver: The Triumph over Experience: Hope and Hardiness in Novice L2 Teachers8. Éva Czimmermann and Katalin Piniel: Advanced Language Learners’ Experiences of Flow in the Hungarian EFL Classroom9. Jean-Marc Dewaele and Peter D. MacIntyre: Foreign Language Enjoyment and Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety: The Right and Left Foot of the Language Learner10. J. Lake: Accentuate the Positive: Conceptual and Empirical Development of the Positive L2 Self and its Relationship to L2 Proficiency11. Zana Ibrahim: Affect in Directed Motivational Currents: Positive Emotionality in Long-Term L2 Engagement12. R. Kirk Belnap, Jennifer Brown, Dan P. Dewey, Linnea P. Belnap and Patrick R. Steffen: Project Perseverance: Helping Students Become Self-Regulating Learners13. Marc Helgesen: Happiness in ESL/EFL: Bringing Positive Psychology to the Classroom14. Tim Murphey: Teaching to Learn and Well-Become: Many Mini-Renaissances15. Candy Fresacher: Why and How to Use Positive Psychology Activities in the Second Language Classroom16. M.C. Fonseca-Mora and F. Herrero Machancoses: Music and Language Learning: Emotions and Engaging Memory Pathways17. Peter D. MacIntyre, Tammy Gregersen and Sarah Mercer: Conclusion