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Article published In: Flourishing in Italian: Positive Psychology approaches to the teaching and learning of Italian in Australia
Edited by Antonia Rubino, Antonella Strambi and Vincenza Tudini
[Australian Review of Applied Linguistics 40:2] 2017
► pp. 108–120

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Positive Psychology in SLA

An agenda for learner and teacher wellbeing

 | University of Graz
Published online: 1 December 2017
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/aral.40.2.02mer
Abstract
This article begins with an outline of the developments in Positive Psychology (PP) generally and specifically within SLA focusing on theoretical, empirical and practical developments. It moves on to consider PP’s potential contribution to language teaching focusing on how it can help promote emotional, social and psychological wellbeing for language learners and teachers. It explores the concept of ‘Positive Education’ and reflects on possible lessons from these broader developments for a specific approach to ‘Positive Language Education’. It is argued that PP facilitates new ways of thinking about language learning and can provide the ideal vehicle from which to foreground wellbeing as a concept and dual aim in language education.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Positive Psychology
  • 3.Positive Psychology in SLA
  • 4.PP in practice in SLA
  • 5.Positive Education: Promoting wellbeing as an educational aim
  • 6.Positive Language Education
  • 7.Conclusion
  • References
References (64)
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