This paper reports on part of a larger study of critical language pedagogy (CLP) in university EFL classes in Japan. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews, we examined the philosophies, approaches, pedagogic choices, and adaptations of nineteen self-identifying critical pedagogues. Here, we focus on the theme of student receptivity to the…

The contributions of positive psychology (PP) to the study of second and foreign language (L2) emotions have received considerable scholarly attention in recent years. In response to the criticism that it adopted a limited viewpoint, PP has broadened its perspective. Existential positive psychology (EPP) is a branch of PP that can address prior…

Background/purpose: The study investigated the potential effects of classroom environment on foreign language learning in the first three grades in Kuwait from teachers' perspectives. Materials/methods: To achieve the study's objectives, an electronic questionnaire was distributed to a sample of EFL teachers in Al-Jahra, Kuwait, during the…

Students' psychological well-being (PWB) is vital in foreign language learning, with transformational classroom leadership (TCL) and self-efficacy playing significant roles. However, limited research has explored the role of TCL and self-efficacy in understanding English as a foreign language (EFL) learners' PWB. This study hence aimed to examine…

The study examined the mediating roles of academic buoyancy and academic emotions in the relationship between classroom social climate (CSC) and student engagement in English as a foreign language (EFL) learning. The study involved 759 Chinese university students and utilized confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation…

As the student population in today's world language classrooms becomes more diverse, the importance of interculturality has increased (NCES, 2022). Beyond this need for interculturality lies the development and teaching of critical intercultural competency (CIC) among world language students as a means of addressing systemic social injustices and…

In the realm of foreign language learning, emotions play a pivotal role, yet boredom remains a largely overlooked aspect, with scant research exploring its dynamics in classroom settings. Addressing this gap, this study delves into the Turkish English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context to investigate the multifaceted nature of boredom, examining…

This study was designed to explore patterns of student perceptions of second language (L2) classroom environments and the relationships between such perceptions and L2 willingness to communicate (WTC). A sample of 845 first-year undergraduate students of English as a foreign language (EFL) participated in the study and reported their perceptions…

Background/purpose: This study investigates the educational influence of artistically enriched learning environments on the motivation of Vietnamese undergraduate students enrolled in Business English programs. While prior research has increasingly acknowledged the role of physical space in shaping learning outcomes, few studies have critically…

The influence of teachers' interpersonal communication abilities and learning environment on second/foreign language (L2) students has received a growing scholarly attention. However, the preventing role of teachers' immediacy behaviours and classroom climate on English as a foreign language (EFL) students' negative, destructive emotions has been…

In this theory-based practice article, the authors introduce restorative and community-building practices as social justice for English learners. As circle keepers and educators of English learners, the authors emphasize the necessity for reimagining English for speakers of other languages classrooms as not only places of learning English, but…

The year 2020 marked the 25th year since Bonny Norton published her influential "TESOL Quarterly" article, 'Social identity, investment, and language learning' (Norton Peirce, 1995) and the fifth year since we, Darvin and Norton (2015), co-authored 'Identity and a model of investment in applied linguistics' in the "Annual Review of…

The internet and informatization have brought a great impact on English classrooms in ecologically fragile areas, bringing convenience to the teaching of some colleges and universities, but also negatively affecting some colleges and universities in ecologically fragile areas that still use traditional lecture-style classroom teaching methods. The…

The present study examines the direct and indirect relationships between classroom environment (CE), L2 (second/foreign language) learner emotions (i.e. enjoyment, anxiety and boredom), and their willingness to communicate (WTC) in classes for English as a foreign language (EFL). Participants were 2,268 university students in China. Pearson…

This book offers an in-depth exploration of the causes and consequences of competition among language learners, with a particular focus on understanding the intricate relationships between competitiveness, beliefs about competition, and other psychological variables pertinent to language learning, such as motivation, anxiety, and mindsets. The…