Abstract

Abstract

Wellbeing is vital for positive human functioning. Yet, despite its importance, the construct has been subject to numerous understandings in ways which have made it a target for criticism. In this talk, I seek to establish a theoretical basis for understanding wellbeing, reflecting on how it has been used in research, problematising simplistic perspectives, and elucidating on empirical work carried out by the research team in Graz. Teacher wellbeing is a cornerstone of good practice and all stakeholders benefit when teachers are supported in their professional roles. As such, it is imperative that we expand the research agenda on this critical construct.

Bio

Sarah Mercer is Professor of Foreign Language Teaching at the University Graz, Austria, where she is Head of ELT methodology. Her research interests include all aspects of the psychology surrounding the foreign language learning experience. She is the author, co-author and co-editor of several books in this area. She has been Principal Investigator on various funded research projects and serves in numerous editorial boards. She is currently vice-president of the International Association for the Psychology of Language Learning (IAPLL). In 2018, she was awarded the Robert C Gardner Award for excellence in second language research by the International Association of Language and Social Psychology (IALSP).