Positive psychology in action: Exploring the role of altruistic teaching in enhancing English reading comprehension among L2 learners

Abstract

The recent introduction of positive psychology (PP) to second language acquisition (SLA) has led to increased interest in researching the relationship between language learning and various positive emotions. Despite this, the concept of learner altruistic teaching has been relatively understudied, compared to other PP aspects. In particular, studies on learner altruistic teaching and English reading comprehension skill have been notably absent. To address this gap, this intervention study aimed to investigate whether learners’ altruistic teaching had a significant effect on their English reading comprehension skill. The study used a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design with a comparison group pretest–posttest experimental design. It involved 116 Iranian learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). The study included three internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) reading sections, reflective frames, and semi-structured interviews. The results of independent-samples t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVAs suggested that altruistic teaching had an instructional effect on learners’ English reading comprehension skill. Additionally, the results of the qualitative data pointed to several themes, including enjoyment, responsibility for one another, intimacy, engagement, motivation, success, and self-appreciation in learners. Altogether, the study suggested that learners’ altruistic teaching can significantly enhance their English reading comprehension skill by creating a sense of enjoyment, responsibility, intimacy, engagement, motivation, success, and self-appreciation among learners. The article concludes by discussing the theoretical and pedagogical implications of the study. Finally, it offers suggestions for further research and highlights limitations.