Exploring Applications of Positive Psychology in SLA

Abstract

This chapter examines positive psychology and its potential application in second language acquisition (SLA). The chapter first reviews the origins of positive psychology as a sub-field and the reasons why it was developed. In defining what positive psychology is, the chapter also addresses what positive psychology is not and explicates the risk of applying positive psychology principles in an oversimplified manner, a so called ‘tyranny of positive thinking.’ There are strong inroads already being made for applying positive psychology in SLA. The chapter concludes with a brief examination of the notion of positive language education which would combine language and personal development (wellbeing).