Speaking Enhancement of Iranian Intermediate learners of English via the Application of Positive Psychology Techniques

Current research in EFL has shown that positive psychology techniques result in substantial gains in the enhancement of speaking, which focuses on several issues surrounding EFL Speaking skill. This study was an attempt to investigate the impact of using positive psychology techniques on the enhancement of speaking of Iranian Intermediate learners of English. To conduct the study, a sample of 60 female Iranian EFL language learners studying at English language centers at Tehran were homogenized based on their performance on Cambridge Preliminary English speaking test (PET) and a speaking test at the outset of the study. Next, the participants were divided into two groups, namely, control and experimental group with almost 30 learners in each. During the treatment of the study, the experimental group enjoyed positive psychology techniques, avoidance strategy and enhancing accuracy strategy, while the subjects in the control group received only a placebo. Having collected the data, the final speaking test were implemented as the post-test with respect to its reliability. The analyses of the t-tests results indicated that the participants of the experimental group outperformed their counterparts in the control group. It was concluded that their significantly better performance was due to thoseimplemented positive psychology techniques throughout the study

Keywords:

Positive Psychology , Self-efficacy , Self-regulation , Mindfulness , Wellbeing , Positive behavior , Resilience