International Journal of Education

Emotions, as a core element in foreign language learning, profoundly influence learners’ cognitive development, motivation, and academic achievement. This paper systematically reviews the significance, dimensions, methods, and future directions of emotion research in foreign language learning. The study reveals that foreign language learning emotions exhibit multidimensional characteristics, involving complex interactions between positive emotions (e.g., enjoyment, pleasure) and negative emotions (e.g., anxiety, boredom). Research methods have diversified, encompassing scale measurement, dynamic system theory, and intervention experiments. Future studies should focus on the dynamic evolution of emotions, cross-cultural comparisons, and emotion regulation strategies in technology-enhanced environments to provide theoretical foundations for foreign language teaching practice.

Foreign language learning; Emotion research; Positive emotions; Negative emotions; Dynamic systems