Sources and effects of Foreign Language Enjoyment, Anxiety and Boredom: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach
The present study is among the first to investigate how three foreign language (FL) emotions (enjoyment (FLE), anxiety (FLCA) and boredom (FLB)) are related to each other. It is the first study to consider how the three FL emotions are shaped by one learner-internal variable (attitude towards the FL), by two perceived teacher behaviours (frequency of use of the FL in class and unpredictability) and how all these variables affect FL achievement. Participants were 332 learners from all over the world studying a wide variety of FLs who filled out an online questionnaire. A close-fitting structural equation model revealed associations between FLE, FLCA, and FLB. Teacher behaviours positively affected FLE, with no discernible effect on FLB or FLCA. Only FLCA was found to have a (negative) effect on academic achievement. The study confirms the complex relationship between teacher behaviours and positive emotions in the FL classroom.