Self-Esteem and Foreign Language Learning

Self-Esteem and Foreign Language Learning deals with a topic which has been given surprisingly little attention in Second and Foreign Language Acquisition studies. Although there are several studies dealing with general education, this volume addresses the need to take self-esteem into consideration in the language classroom and adopts both theoretical/research and practical perspectives, with the hope of being useful for both researchers and practitioners.The book is organized into three main parts. Part I serves as an introduction to self-esteem. Part II reports on the existing literature about the theory and research dealing with self-esteem and foreign language learning, and Part III includes procedures for implementation and activities for classroom applications.Self-Esteem and Foreign Language Learning is edited by Fernando Rubio (PhD.), a researcher and teacher at the University of Huelva in Spain. Most of the chapters have been written by members of the research group "Affective factors in language learning", which has also published a book on Multiple Intelligences and the teaching of English (Dr. Jane Arnold, Dr. Carmen Fonseca, etc.). There are two outside contributions: one is by Andrew Wright, author of numerous publications for language teachers, and the other by Veronica de Andrés, teacher trainer from the University of El Salvador (Argentina) and member of the executive board of the International Council for Self-Esteem. Dr. Elaine Horwitz of the University of Texas has contributed a preface.

About the Author :
Fernando Rubio (Ph.D.) is an Associate Professor in the English Language Department at the University of Huelva and Head of the Office of International Relations at the School of Education. His main research interests are in the field of affective factors and foreign language learning. He has authored numerous scholarly texts, especially in the area of foreign language anxiety.

Review :
'This outstanding book offers a whole new perspective on the teaching of foreign language. It clarifies what self-esteem is, its impact on learning, and provides teachers with excellent suggestions on how to apply the principles of self-esteem to enhance the effectiveness of language instruction. It will make teaching language an exciting, rewarding endeavor for those who use it.'Robert W. Reasoner, President International Council for Self-Esteem'In recent years, research on second language acquisition has increasingly emphasized the primacy of affective variables in determining one's success in learning a language. The construct of self-esteem is among the foremost affective factors in explaining such success, and the editor has in this volume compiled a fascinating set of studies. He represents a spectrum of issues, findings, models, and questions that characterize this subfield, and the section on classroom practicalities aptly demonstrates the relevance of such issues to the classroom teacher. This book is highly recommended reading for any researcher or practitioner who seeks current information on self-esteem.'Dr. H. Douglas Brown, Ph.D., San Francisco State University