Complexity in Second Language Study Emotions: Emergent Sense-Making in Social Context

Exploring the relationship between emotionality and L2 language learning, this book offers a narrative focus on learners and their teacher in Japan. The book offers possibilities for exploring, interpreting and representing the lived experience of L2 study emotions in a more holistic, complex fashion. State-of-the-art research methods utilized include multiple threading, timescales analysis, a combination of discursive psychology with a small lens approach, and narrative writing as method. Via illustrations of insights generated through such means, the author argues that emotions need to be studied as they are dynamically experienced and understood in all of their multidimensional color by individuals (in interaction). Amidst the currently expanding interest in L2 study emotions, the book presents a strong case for the benefits of locating interpretations of the emergence of L2 study emotions back into situated, dynamic, social context. Sampson uses a complexity perspective as a reminder of more integrated, holistic understandings of the psychology of additional language learners. This work will be of interest to students and researchers in second language acquisition and additional language learning.