Cognitive and Educational Psychology for TESOL Practitioners: Concluding Reflections

As discussed in this volume, several cognitive and affective factors influence language learning. Cognitive factors such as attention and working memory determine how learners process language. While some affective factors such as anxiety negatively influence the psychological wellbeing of learners, others such as metacognition and multiple intelligences can enhance language learning. In addition, language learning disorders and other external factors such as bullying can hinder the cognitive and affective mechanisms that are influential in language learning. The volume highlighted that TESOL practitioners need to understand these factors in order to analyze individual learner characteristics and use appropriate teaching approaches, methods, and activities in the classroom. This chapter reflects on whether TESOL practitioners have knowledge of these aspects, if not why not, and how this volume enhances their understanding of the role cognitive factors play in the language classroom. The chapter also provides some suggestions on how both theoretical and practical knowledge of these factors can be better communicated to TESOL practitioners in future.