Positive Psychology in Foreign Language Learning: the Role of Savouring Strategies on Motivation. A Study on Adult Learning

Abstract

The study of positive psychology in foreign language learning represents a fruitful field of research in the last twenty years. Although several scholars have investigated the influence of positive interventions on students’ well-being, little attention has been devoted to motivation. This lack is particularly evident in the adult learning context, where several factors have been shown to influence students’ motivation to continue the learning experience. Drawing on the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, the present paper investigates the role of savouring strategies promoting positive emotions on adult students’ motivation to continue the study of the English language. Based on qualitative research, the study presents a personal experience of teaching Elementary English at Università Popolare del Nordest in the Fall/Winter session of 2021/2022. Firstly, data were collected using a questionnaire on students’ use of strategies promoting positive emotions and their initial motivation. Then, three activities were designed to encourage students to apply savouring strategies. Finally, interviews explored the influence of strategies on adults’ motivation. Although students were initially motivated by a sense of personal growth, findings indicate that promoting positive emotions encouraged the motivation to continue the learning path. Furthermore, results show that savouring strategies facilitated social relationships in class and fostered students’ self-efficacy.