Exploring the Language Education Enjoyment Scale and Its Impact on Learner Engagement

This study explores learners' emotional experiences in Korean language education, focusing on positive emotions. It examines the application of the Foreign Language Enjoyment Scale (FLES) and how the survey itself can foster positive feelings. A survey was conducted with 291 Korean learners from Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Taiwan, using a Korean-adapted 21-item FLES. Participants responded on a 5-point Likert scale. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and raincloud plots. Most participants reported experiencing positive emotions during Korean language learning, particularly in relation to teacher support, kindness, and encouragement. The overall enjoyment scores ranged from 3.5 to 4.5. Many participants also enjoyed the survey process, suggesting that the survey itself contributed to positive emotional experiences. This study highlights the importance of positive emotions in language learning, particularly through teacher support. It suggests that reflecting on positive experiences can enhance learners' emotional engagement. The findings also reinforce the value of positive emotion research and FLES development in language education, while also presenting important considerations for the creation of related scales.