This book addresses a particularly important area of second language acquisition research, specifically the factors that mediate learning outcomes in learning a second or foreign language. It provides a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of studies in the field of second language learning and L2 use from the point of view of personality traits and emotional intelligence. It also presents results of a mixed-method study researching the possible influence of these variables on the process of learning a second language. Furthermore, the book represents the first systematic exploration of the role of emotional intelligence and the factors related to it in moderating attainment in the target language. What is also unique here is the investigation of the role of personality with respect to different target language skills and subsystems, which allows finer-grained insights into this relationship. The book will be of considerable interest to both researchers, teachers and students in the fields of SLA, TESOL, applied linguistics, and bilingualism.

This book addresses a particularly important area of second language acquisition research, specifically the factors that mediate learning outcomes in learning a second or foreign language. It provides a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of studies in the field of second language learning and L2 use from the point of view of personality traits and emotional intelligence. It also presents results of a mixed-method study researching the possible influence of these variables on the process of learning a second language. Furthermore, the book represents the first systematic exploration of the role of emotional intelligence and the factors related to it in moderating attainment in the target language. What is also unique here is the investigation of the role of personality with respect to different target language skills and subsystems, which allows finer-grained insights into this relationship. The book will be of considerable interest to both researchers, teachers and students in the fields of SLA, TESOL, applied linguistics, and bilingualism.

The book explores the relationships between the personality traits of Polish university students learning English as a foreign language and their use of language learning strategies (LLS). It provides a solid theoretical background for the investigation of the interface between the two constructs, describes the applied analytical procedures in detail, and reports the results and implications of a large-scale study. Chapter 1 presents multiple perspectives on the investigation of human personality and presents insights from a selection of studies into the role of personality in foreign language learning. Chapter 2 addresses the construct of LLS, while Chapter 3 links strategy use to other individual learner characteristics, with a focus on personality. Chapter 4 sets the methodological framework for the empirical investigation, describes the rationale for conducting the study, and includes a thorough description of analytical procedures. Chapter 5 presents the results of the study and highlights their pedagogical implications. Finally, limitations of the study are presented and some directions for future research are suggested. The monograph will be of interest to scholars investigating the role of personality in SLA as well as graduate and postgraduate students in applied linguistics.

This book highlights current knowledge, best practices, new opportunities, and difficult challenges associated with promoting emotional intelligence (EI) and social-emotional learning (SEL) in educational settings. The volume provides analyses of contemporary EI theories and measurement tools, common principles and barriers in effective EI and SEL programming, typical and atypical developmental considerations, and higher-level institutional and policy implications. It also addresses common critiques of the relevance of EI and discusses the need for greater awareness of sociocultural contexts in assessing and nurturing EI skills. Chapters provide examples of effective EI and SEL programs in pre-school, secondary school, and university contexts, and explore innovative applications of EI such as bullying prevention and athletic training. In addition, chapters explore the implications of EI in postsecondary, professional, and occupational settings, with topics ranging from college success and youth career readiness to EI training for future educators and organizational leaders. Topics featured in this book include: Ability and trait EI and their role in coping with stress, academic attainment, sports performance, and career readiness. Implications of preschoolers’ emotional competence for future success in the classroom. Understanding EI in individuals with exceptionalities. Applications of school-based EI and SEL programs in North America and Europe. Policy recommendations for social-emotional development in schools, colleges and universities. Developing emotional, social, and cognitive competencies in managers during an MBA program. Emotional intelligence training for teachers. Cross-cultural perspective on EI and emotions. Emotional Intelligence in Education is a must-have resource for researchers, professionals, and policymakers as well as graduate students across such disciplines as child and school psychology, social work, and education policy. Chapter 2 of this book is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License at link.springer.com

The most influential variables in the process of language learning are related to learners' emotions, attitudes, and personality. Since learners' cognitive, affective, and personality traits may affect how they receive, perceive, and store vocabulary items in English, investigating such traits to know how they are related to the composite and breadth of learners' vocabulary would be very useful in dealing with teaching vocabulary in a foreign language. Thus, language teachers can take personal factors into a more serious consideration in their students' language learning process; hence, this book contains details of a study that investigated the possible relationship between emotional intelligence, field dependence/ independence cognitive styles, motivation, and vocabulary breadth among learners of English as a Foreign/Second Language.

This book introduces readers to the principles of a fairly new branch of psychology – positive psychology – and demonstrates how they can be applied in the context of second language acquisition in a natural environment and in instructed foreign language (FL) learning. It focuses both on the well-being and success of the learner and the professional and personal well-being of the teacher. Further, the book stresses the importance of the positive emotions and character strengths of those involved in the process of language learning and teaching, as well as the significant role played by enabling institutions such as school and, at the micro-level, individual FL classes.

This book contributes to overcoming the deficit in research on emotions in foreign language learning in the domain of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) in both traditional and virtual settings. The authors divide emotions into positive (i.e., enjoyment and curiosity) and negative (i.e., boredom and language anxiety) and explore their role in L2 teaching and learning in CALL environments from theoretical, empirical and pedagogical perspectives. The book begins with a theoretical overview of selected issues concerning positive and negative emotions and surveys the studies that have dealt with this issue in L2 learning in conventional settings and CALL. The empirical part of the book is devoted to a research project which explores the experience of positive and negative emotions in learning English in the virtual world Second Life, the relationships of the emotions in question and factors influencing them. The book concludes by recommending a selection of practices which can help maximize the positive emotions and minimize the negative emotions in foreign language learning in CALL environments. This is an important and illuminating read for students and scholars of applied linguistics, second language education and educational technology who are interested in CALL and in incorporating VW/VR-based language learning programs into their studies and teaching.