Positive emotions in language learning may be more influenced by teachers than anxiety is

Cultures · Published 2 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: A study of 189 British high school students found that foreign language enjoyment is closely tied to classroom environment and student attitudes. Researchers observed that while enjoyment levels fluctuated based on teacher influence and classroom practices, classroom anxiety appeared less connected to these specific teacher-led variables.

The research examined how internal learner traits and teacher-specific factors relate to enjoyment and anxiety in a single educational setting. By analyzing student attitudes and classroom dynamics, the study suggests that educators might find more success focusing on boosting positive emotions rather than solely attempting to reduce anxiety.

Why it matters: Teachers may have more influence over fostering student enjoyment than they do over reducing language anxiety.

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