In An Online Setting

By Geralde Vincent-Bancroft

When it comes to learning a new language in an online setting, an important and often overlooked factor is achievement emotions. 

These emotions, both positive and negative, can significantly influence how we approach challenges, regulate our learning processes, and ultimately succeed in language acquisition. 

If you’re an online language learner or an educator, understanding these achievement emotions can help you harness their power to improve your learning or teaching experience. 

What Are Achievement Emotions? 

Achievement emotions are emotions tied to achievement-related activities or outcomes. For language learners, these emotions might stem from actions like completing a challenging lesson, participating in an online speaking exercise, or receiving feedback on performance. 

These emotions are driven by two main factors: 

• Control over learning outcomes (e.g., “Do I feel capable of achieving this?”). 
• Subjective value of the task (e.g., “Do I think this is important or worth pursuing?”). 

Achievement emotions can be broadly categorized into two groups based on their impact on learning: 

Positive Achievement Emotions 

These emotions can enhance motivation and engagement, playing a vital role in improving performance. Examples include:

• Enjoyment in learning when engaging with interesting, fun tasks. 
• Hope for success when starting a new activity, thinking about the possibility of mastering the language. 
• Pride in accomplishments after achieving a learning milestone, such as acing a test or mastering a tricky pronunciation.

Negative Achievement Emotions 

While these are often seen as barriers, they can sometimes serve as motivators when managed properly. Examples include:

• Anger at struggling with complex concepts or technical difficulties in an online environment. 
• Anxiety about making mistakes or speaking in front of others. 
• Shame if progress feels slow or if learners compare themselves to their peers.

Achievement emotions are complex processes that can include cognitive, psychological, and motivational elements. Importantly, these emotions are not standalone experiences; they are influenced by several factors, such as context, cultural sensitivity, and the specific learning situation.

Why Achievement Emotions Matter in Language Learning 

Achievement emotions are far more than fleeting feelings. For language learners in digital environments, they play a crucial role in shaping learning behaviors and outcomes. Here’s why they matter:

1. Goal Setting and Motivation 

Positive emotions like hope and pride help learners set ambitious goals  and maintain motivation. Envisioning the satisfaction of achieving these goals can inspire consistent effort.

2. Opening the Mind 

Enjoyment in learning fosters curiosity and creativity, allowing learners to explore unique problem-solving approaches to language challenges.

3. Self-Regulation 

Achievement emotions enhance self-regulation, helping learners not only persist through challenges but also reflect on their progress and adapt accordingly.

4. Resilience and Mental Health 

Positive achievement emotions promote mental well-being by boosting self-esteem and building resiliency. Equally, understanding and reframing negative emotions can help learners develop coping strategies for failure or setbacks.

A study published by Teng and Pan (2024)  explores how achievement emotions impact Chinese English learners in online environments. This research highlights that emotions like hope and enjoyment are strong predictors of better language performance, while negative emotions like hopelessness and boredom often hinder progress.

Factors That Influence Achievement Emotions 

Achievement emotions aren’t static; they vary depending on several factors:

• Timing of Outcome: 

 Prospective emotions (e.g., hope) occur when learners anticipate success or failure. Retrospective emotions (e.g., pride or shame) arise after reviewing performance.

• Valence of Emotion: 

 Positive (pleasant) emotions like enjoyment are often activating, encouraging engagement. Negative (unpleasant) emotions may be either activating (e.g., anger, which motivates effort) or deactivating (e.g., hopelessness, which may lead to giving up). 

• Cultural Sensitivity: 

 Learners’ cultural backgrounds influence how they perceive and respond to challenges. Educators who take cultural nuances into account can foster more effective teaching environments tailored to diverse needs. 

How Educators and Learners Can Harness Achievement Emotions 

Here are some practical strategies for learners and educators to understand and make the most of achievement emotions:

For Learners:

1. Practice Self-Awareness 

  Start by identifying emotions you associate with learning. What makes you feel hopeful? What situations cause anxiety? Reflecting on these triggers helps you address emotional patterns productively. 

2. Celebrate Small Successes 

  Recognize your progress regularly, even if it feels minor. Acknowledge efforts like completing a lesson, learning a new word, or participating in an online discussion.

3. Reframe Negative Experiences 

  Instead of seeing failure as a setback, view it as an opportunity to improve. For instance, if anxiety stems from speaking mistakes, remind yourself that every mistake is a step toward fluency.

4. Stay Connected 

  Engaging with supportive language learning communities online can foster feelings of belonging and reduce shame or frustration. Platforms like Reddit’s language learning community or apps like HelloTalk can connect you with peers.

For Educators:

1. Create a Safe Online Environment 

  Encourage learners to participate actively by reassuring them that mistakes are welcome and seen as valuable learning opportunities.

2. Use Positive Reinforcement 

  Highlight student achievements through personalized feedback and encourage pride in progress, no matter how small.

3. Promote Self-Regulated Learning 

  Provide tools and resources (e.g., goal-setting frameworks or progress trackers) that help learners take control of their learning and stay motivated.

4. Monitor Emotional Well-Being 

  Be attentive to learners struggling with negative emotions like shame or boredom. Consider using surveys or anonymous feedback forms to check in on learners’ emotional states.

Using AE as Your Secret Weapon 

Language learning can sometimes feel like an emotional rollercoaster, especially in online environments. But by understanding achievement emotions and their impact, learners can take charge of their emotions to fuel progress, while educators can create supportive learning spaces that empower students to thrive. 

Whether you’re reveling in the joy of mastering a new tense or overcoming the frustration of a tricky pronunciation, every emotion has the potential to guide your learning experience.

Remember, emotions aren’t obstacles to avoid; they’re tools to leverage. The next time you’re tackling a foreign language, take a moment to reflect on the emotions you’re feeling. Why not use them as stepping stones toward success? 

Happy learning!