Dynamics and mechanisms of foreign language enjoyment contagion

• Published in: Innovation in language learning and teaching Vol. 14; no. 5; pp. 399 - 420
• Main Authors: Talebzadeh, Nahid, Elahi Shirvan, Majid, Khajavy, Gholam Hassan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 19.10.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: automatic mimicry; Classroom Communication; College Freshmen; Computer Software; Dyadic interaction; Emotions; English (Second Language); Enjoyment contagion; Facial expressions; Foreign Countries; Humor; idiodynamic method; Language Acquisition; Language Teachers; Laughter; Learning transfer; mechanism; mimicry; Motivation; Nonverbal Communication; Peer Relationship; Positive Attitudes; Psychology; Second Language Instruction; Second Language Learning; Second Languages; Student Attitudes; Students; Teacher Student Relationship; Teaching Methods; Video Technology; Iran
• ISSN: 1750-1229; 1750-1237
• DOI: 10.1080/17501229.2019.1614184

With the recent shift from negative psychology to positive psychology in the field of second language acquisition deeper understanding regarding the transfer and construction of positive emotions within classroom interactions is needed. Inspired by the concept of emotion contagion in the field of psychology, the purpose of this study was to explore the mechanisms and dynamics of enjoyment contagion in a course of foreign language. To do this, considering the blurred nature of mimicry and emotion contagion, we took advantage of the idiodynamic method in five dyadic teacher-student interactions. The findings indicated that automatic mimicry is the main mechanism of enjoyment contagion in these interactions, which is shaped by the application of facial expressions, gestures, and postures such as laughter, vocalic expressions, smiling, nodding, and leaning forward. However, contributing to the dynamics of enjoyment contagion, the mimicry does not necessarily indicate enjoyment. The pedagogical implications of these findings are discussed.