A Critical, Synthesis-oriented Literature Review Related to L2 Learner Emotions in the Area of Second Language Acquisition 

Li Jingyuan

Xi'an International Studies University，Xi'an, Shaanxi Province，710000；

Abstract：In the past decade, L2 learner emotions have been thoroughly examined in the field of second language acquisition with emerging theories and research methods introduced from neighboring disciplines, including positive psychology and educational psychology. Numerous emotions such as foreign language anxiety, enjoyment and boredom have received widespread attention, breaking the traditional research path oriented by pure cognition. The purpose of this paper is to give corresponding suggestions for future research by summarizing and evaluating relevant theories and research methods. The major findings show that although booming field flourishes with an increasing number of explorations into theories and more rigorous and diversified methodology, there are some theoretical and methodological issues of the current researches, such as the lack of emotion theory from the perspective of lingusitics, the lack of theories accommodating technology-enhanced L2 learning, the lack of experimental research in quantitative research and the relative lack of qualitative research method. Therefore various future attempts could still be made in theoretical and methodological aspects. In view of the above, emotion research in second language acquisition has shown a trend of development from singularity to diversification in terms of research contents, methods, and paradigms, and there is an urgent need to address the existing deficiencies in research theories and methodologies.

Keywords: L2 learner emotions; second language acquisition; emotion research in second language acquisition; positive psychology

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