Foreign Language Enjoyment among Turkish EFL Learners

Positive emotions are vital in learning English as a foreign language (EFL). However, while research on EFL learning mainly focuses on negative emotions, there has been growing interest in positive emotions under an interdisciplinary perspective with Positive Psychology. On the other hand, current research results are conflicting in terms of foreign language enjoyment (FLE), depending on the Broaden-and-Build Theory and the Control-Value Theory. Moreover, research is not conclusive in terms of the levels of FLE regarding gender, age, and proficiency in the target language. This study aims to find the levels of FLE among Turkish EFL learners and the differences between the levels of FLE in accordance with the variables of age, gender, and proficiency in the target language. A background questionnaire and the Foreign Language Learning Enjoyment Scale (FLLES) were administered to 609 EFL learners enrolled at state high schools, foreign language preparatory schools, and universities. The results showed that EFL learners experience a high level of FLE. It was also concluded that while the level of FLE significantly differs in accordance with EFL learners’ age and proficiency levels, gender does not seem to be a significant variable that considerably relates to FLE.