An analysis of the empirical research on SL/FL teaching and learning based on positive psychology: a systematic literature review

Despite the growing attention received by research on second language or foreign language (SL/FL) learning from the perspective of positive psychology (PP), a crucial gap persists. Over the past decade (2013–2022), scholars have yet to comprehensively elucidate how PP affects SL/FL learning outcomes. Specifically, the full - scale impact of PP on various aspects of language learning, such as different language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) and learners at diverse educational levels, remains unclear. Additionally, the underlying psychological and educational mechanisms through which PP exerts its influence on SL/FL learning have not been thoroughly explored. In the present study, a systematic literature review was conducted to review and analyze the empirical studies on SL/FL teaching and learning from the perspective of positive psychology. By analyzing 45 studies, the research objects, language and psychological dimensions and the research design were collected systematically. The findings showed that: (1) as a relative new research field, the number of publications is increasing rapidly, and the future development momentum is strong; (1) the research topics focus on the relationship between PP and SL/FL learning, the intervention and moderating effects of PP on SL/FL learning; (2) about research design, the research objects are mainly college students with a wide distribution of majors; the research method is mainly quantitative research, and mixed research is constantly developing; (3) the research results showed that PP is associated with students' language performance and can predict performance. PP can also increase students' English learning engagement and well-being. The present study provided a comprehensive review and also gave some suggestions for future research.