Learners’ experience of Flow in Foreign Language classrooms (Multilingualism and Language Education Seminar Series)  

This event is part of the Multilingualism and Language Education Seminar Series 2023-2024.

Seminar 2: Learners’ experience of Flow in Foreign Language classrooms   

Speaker: Professor Jean-Marc Dewaele (Birkbeck, University of London)   

Abstract: The introduction of Positive Psychology in the field of foreign language learning triggered a wave of research on learner emotions (Dewaele et al., 2019). Studies focused on their sources and effect on performance, beyond the traditional focus on negative emotions and included new concepts such as foreign language enjoyment and flow (Dewaele, 2022; Dewaele & MacIntyre, 2014). The concept of flow was introduced by Csíkszentmihályi (1990) and refers to a consciousness that is harmoniously ordered where thoughts, actions, and emotions become well-coordinated in performing a challenging task – a prerequisite for enjoyment. The topic of flow is still under- researched in applied linguistic research (Dewaele & MacIntyre, 2022. Flow matters because it is addictive and has strong motivational qualities (Piniel & Albert, 2019). This presentation will give an overview of the latest research on the topic.

For further information please contact Dr Phung Dao, Assistant Professor in Second Language Education, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge