Complexity in Second Language Study Emotions: Emergent Sensemaking in Social Context

This book offers a socially situated view of the emergence of emotionality for additional language (L2) learners in classroom interaction in Japan.

Grounded in a complexity perspective, the author argues that emotions need to be studied as they are dynamically experienced and understood in all of their multidimensional colors by individuals (in interaction). Via practitioner research, Sampson applies a small-lens focus, interweaving experiential and discursive data, offering possibilities for exploring, interpreting and representing the lived experience of L2 study emotions in a more holistic yet detailed, social yet individual fashion. 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’s work will be of interest to students and researchers in second language acquisition and L2 learning psychology.

Richard J. Sampson (PhD, Griffith University) has been working in the Japanese education context for more than 20 years. He is currently an Associate Professor at Rikkyo University, teaching courses in English communication and language learning psychology. His research focuses on the social and dynamic emergence of language learner and teacher psychology by drawing on complexity thinking. He uses action research approaches to explore experiences of classroom language learning from the perspectives of students and teachers. Richard has published widely in international journals and is the author of "Complexity in Classroom Foreign Language Learning Motivation: A Practitioner Perspective from Japan" (Multilingual Matters, 2016), and co-editor (with Richard Pinner) of "Complexity Perspectives on Researching Language Learner and Teacher Psychology" (Multilingual Matters, 2021).