An analysis of the empirical research on SL/FL teaching and learning based on positive psychology: a systematic literature review
Abstract Despite the growing attention received by research on second language or foreign language (SL/FL) learning from the perspective of positive psychology (PP), a crucial gap persists. Over the past decade (2013–2022), scholars have yet to comprehensively elucidate how PP affects SL/FL learning...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02576-5 |
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| author | Jia Miao Xin Tian Lina Zhang Baoling Zhang Li Ma |
| author_facet | Jia Miao Xin Tian Lina Zhang Baoling Zhang Li Ma |
| author_sort | Jia Miao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Despite the growing attention received by research on second language or foreign language (SL/FL) learning from the perspective of positive psychology (PP), a crucial gap persists. Over the past decade (2013–2022), scholars have yet to comprehensively elucidate how PP affects SL/FL learning outcomes. Specifically, the full - scale impact of PP on various aspects of language learning, such as different language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) and learners at diverse educational levels, remains unclear. Additionally, the underlying psychological and educational mechanisms through which PP exerts its influence on SL/FL learning have not been thoroughly explored. In the present study, a systematic literature review was conducted to review and analyze the empirical studies on SL/FL teaching and learning from the perspective of positive psychology. By analyzing 45 studies, the research objects, language and psychological dimensions and the research design were collected systematically. The findings showed that: (1) as a relative new research field, the number of publications is increasing rapidly, and the future development momentum is strong; (1) the research topics focus on the relationship between PP and SL/FL learning, the intervention and moderating effects of PP on SL/FL learning; (2) about research design, the research objects are mainly college students with a wide distribution of majors; the research method is mainly quantitative research, and mixed research is constantly developing; (3) the research results showed that PP is associated with students’ language performance and can predict performance. PP can also increase students’ English learning engagement and well-being. The present study provided a comprehensive review and also gave some suggestions for future research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5d817c9ef5fb4f3b86c25d22e6c69f23 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-5d817c9ef5fb4f3b86c25d22e6c69f232025-08-20T03:08:12ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-04-0113111210.1186/s40359-025-02576-5An analysis of the empirical research on SL/FL teaching and learning based on positive psychology: a systematic literature reviewJia Miao0Xin Tian1Lina Zhang2Baoling Zhang3Li Ma4School of Foreign Language, Tianjin Normal UniversitySchool of Foreign Language, Tianjin Normal UniversityTianjin NO.1 High SchoolFaculty of Education, Tianjin Normal UniversitySchool of Management, Tianjin Normal UniversityAbstract Despite the growing attention received by research on second language or foreign language (SL/FL) learning from the perspective of positive psychology (PP), a crucial gap persists. Over the past decade (2013–2022), scholars have yet to comprehensively elucidate how PP affects SL/FL learning outcomes. Specifically, the full - scale impact of PP on various aspects of language learning, such as different language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) and learners at diverse educational levels, remains unclear. Additionally, the underlying psychological and educational mechanisms through which PP exerts its influence on SL/FL learning have not been thoroughly explored. In the present study, a systematic literature review was conducted to review and analyze the empirical studies on SL/FL teaching and learning from the perspective of positive psychology. By analyzing 45 studies, the research objects, language and psychological dimensions and the research design were collected systematically. The findings showed that: (1) as a relative new research field, the number of publications is increasing rapidly, and the future development momentum is strong; (1) the research topics focus on the relationship between PP and SL/FL learning, the intervention and moderating effects of PP on SL/FL learning; (2) about research design, the research objects are mainly college students with a wide distribution of majors; the research method is mainly quantitative research, and mixed research is constantly developing; (3) the research results showed that PP is associated with students’ language performance and can predict performance. PP can also increase students’ English learning engagement and well-being. The present study provided a comprehensive review and also gave some suggestions for future research.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02576-5Positive psychologySL/FL learningSystematic literature review |
| spellingShingle | Jia Miao Xin Tian Lina Zhang Baoling Zhang Li Ma An analysis of the empirical research on SL/FL teaching and learning based on positive psychology: a systematic literature review BMC Psychology Positive psychology SL/FL learning Systematic literature review |
| title | An analysis of the empirical research on SL/FL teaching and learning based on positive psychology: a systematic literature review |
| title_full | An analysis of the empirical research on SL/FL teaching and learning based on positive psychology: a systematic literature review |
| title_fullStr | An analysis of the empirical research on SL/FL teaching and learning based on positive psychology: a systematic literature review |
| title_full_unstemmed | An analysis of the empirical research on SL/FL teaching and learning based on positive psychology: a systematic literature review |
| title_short | An analysis of the empirical research on SL/FL teaching and learning based on positive psychology: a systematic literature review |
| title_sort | analysis of the empirical research on sl fl teaching and learning based on positive psychology a systematic literature review |
| topic | Positive psychology SL/FL learning Systematic literature review |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02576-5 |
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