Work

Exploring peer emotion transmission in foreign language classrooms: A social psychological investigation using mixed methods

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Drawing on theories of interpersonal emotion transfer (Parkinson, 2020) and the control-value theory of achievement emotions (Pekrun, 2006), the present research employed a mixed-methods approach to examine how emotions are transmitted among peers in foreign language (FL) classrooms. We collected quantitative data from 308 freshmen using self-report questionnaires and qualitative data from 18 freshmen using semi-structured interviews. Results of structural equation modeling showed that students’ perceptions of peer FL enjoyment, anxiety, and boredom were positively related to their own corresponding emotions. Both control and value appraisals partially mediated the relations between perceived peer FL enjoyment and anxiety and students’ corresponding emotions. However, value appraisal was the only significant mediator of the relation between perceived peer FL boredom and student boredom. Interview findings further supported the operation of emotion contagion and social appraisal in FL peer emotion transmission. In addition, the qualitative data revealed that perceptions of peer FL emotions may also activate students’ discordant emotions as a result of social comparison processes. The interpretation of the findings is discussed along with future directions and pedagogical implications.

Source: Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching

DOI: 10.14746/ssllt.40352

Authors: Kaiqi Shao, Anne Li Jiang, Gulsah Kutuk, Brian Parkinson

Institutions: Northwestern Polytechnical University, Northeast Normal University, University of Portsmouth, University of Oxford

Language: English

Topic: EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning

Subfield: Language and Linguistics

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: National Office for Philosophy and Social Sciences