The Effect of Positive Psychology Intervention on EFL Learners’ Listening Comprehension

Abstract

This study applies positive psychology to improve EFL learners' listening comprehension ability. To this aim, two groups of EFL learners (N = 45) participated in the study. The learners in the experimental group received the positive psychology intervention based on four components of positive psychology including hope, gratitude, emotion regulation, and empathy and those in the control group received the usual listening comprehension activities. The results including listening comprehension scores along with the analysis of the semi-structured interviews and class observations showed the effectiveness of the intervention, highlighting an increase in the students' listening comprehension scores. It was found that the experimental group experienced a range of positive and negative emotions, with positive emotions more than twice as frequent as negative emotions. The findings also showed that the intervention informed the instructor regarding specific areas where the learners encountered difficulty and in so doing, it allowed for applying appropriate strategies to help them overcome such problems. Finally, the theoretical and pedagogical implications of integrating positive emotions in foreign language teaching are discussed.

Modeling the impact of L2 grit on EFL learners’ core of self-assessment and foreign language anxiety

“…Their findings reflected that L2 grit helps EFL learners evaluate and modify their emotions and also recover quickly from difficulties. In addition, Abdolrezapour and Ghanbari ( 2021 ) as well as Khajavy and Aghaee ( 2022 ) found out EFL learners’ L2 grit and emotion predict the academic achievement of the learners. In the same line of inquiry, the relationships between L2 grit and self-efficacy as one aspect of CSA were confirmed (Yang et al, 2022 ).…”

Positive Psychology Goes to School: Conceptualizing Students’ Happiness in 21st Century Schools While ‘Minding the Mind!’ Are We There Yet? Evidence-Backed, School-Based Positive Psychology Interventions

“…In addition, students can improve their analytical, argumentative, and writing skills in English literature by studying both upbeat and depressing books, such as William Ernest Henley's Invictus and Dante's Inferno, respectively (82). In cultural and religious education, mindfulness and meditation might be studied, as well as self-expression via joy, empathy, and creativity in the performing arts curriculum (83). With the help of this positive turn, schools may supplement the explicit wellbeing skills taught by PPIs with a deeper understanding of the variables that contribute to flourishing (84).…”

Positive psychology and language learning: A systematic scoping review

“…As mentioned above, reminiscing results in significant progress in basic skills such as listening, reading, speaking, and writing and knowledge areas such as pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar (Jin et al, 2021). Regarding listening skills, a PP intervention including empathy, emotion regulation, gratitude, and hope increases listening comprehension scores and positive emotions among EFL learners (Abdolrezapour & Ghanbari, 2021). Regarding reading skills, children who learn English as a second language improve their literacy skills, vocabulary, syntax and creativity when they read picture books with the elements of positive psychology with teachers using dialogic reading techniques (Hui et al, 2020).…”