Get started
Work

Understanding emotional pathways and management in adult Chinese language learners through the lens of positive psychology

Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Emotions are constantly present in the language learning process, shaping both the learning environment and the overall experience. Since the early 21st century, the focus of emotion research in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) has shifted from a primary focus on negative emotions to a growing attention on positive emotions. Positive Psychology (PP), which fosters sustained motivation for learning (Pekrun, 2014), has received increasing attention in language learning research, providing a framework for investigating a broad range of emotions among second language learners. Despite this growing interest, little is known about the emotional dimensions and management strategies of Finnish students learning Chinese, a language significantly different from alphabetic languages. This study examined 18 adult Finnish learners of Chinese as a foreign language—half recruited from a local university and half from an adult education centre—using a Positive Psychology approach. Data were collected throughout an entire semester, allowing participants to reflect on their emotional journeys and recollect their emotions with sufficient time and at a calm pace. Thematic analysis revealed the most frequently experienced positive emotions, as well as salient negative emotions among the participants. The results highlighted the significant role of teacher and peer support in language learning practices and instruction, fostering positive emotions that contributed to long-term engagement and academic buoyancy. Furthermore, self-generated, concordant learning goals and teacher-learner autonomy provided valuable insights, complementing the role of positive emotions in supporting learners’ optimal functioning and well-being throughout the language learning process.
Language: English
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7201125271
Cites: 86
Cited by:
Related to: 10