Exploring Where Perceived Teacher Enthusiasm and Learner Engagement Meet in the Language Classroom

Teacher Enthusiasm (TE) and Learner Engagement (LE) have recently appealed to educational researchers. Nonetheless, their association and potential impacts have not been sufficiently dealt with in the field of second language (L2) research. The present mixed methods study sought to explore the intersection of perceived TE and LE in L2 classroom. To this end, 87 Iranian intermediate L2 learners completed a self-report questionnaire on perceived TE and their own engagement. Next, two focus-group interviews were conducted with a total of 12 respondents. The quantitative data were used in a correlational analysis to see if any relationship exists between perceived TE and LE. The qualitative interview data were analyzed through thematic coding analysis to extract the significant themes regarding how perceived TE may affect L2 learners’ engagement. Results demonstrated that the two variables are significantly correlated. Moreover, the qualitative data yielded three main themes indicating that perceived TE led to L2 learners’ enjoyment and excitement, positive appraisal of teacher quality, and feelings of security and confidence. Thus, emotional consequences seem to be dominant links between the two variables. Additionally, it was found that personal vision and self-set goals are significant antecedents of engagement that may even outdo perceived TE.