Foreign language learner well-being: operationalization and validation of the E4MC model

2026/06/23 by Fakieh Alrabai, Jean-Marc Dewaele, Elouise Botes
Arts and Humanities · Psychology · #EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning #Second Language Learning and Teaching #Communication in Education and Healthcare

paper · doi:10.1093/applin/amag053

Abstract

Abstract With the growing interest in foreign language (FL) learner well-being, there is an increased need for solid holistic models that have a strong theoretical foundation and instruments that are both economical and reliable. The present study proposes an operationalization and psychometric validation of the newly developed hierarchical E4MC model as a multidimensional structural model comprising interconnected building blocks of language learner well-being. E4MC consists of six lenses, namely emotions, empathy, engagement, emotional intelligence, motivation, and character strengths. The new seventy-three-item instrument was tested with data collected online from 328 FL learners from different parts of the world. Measurement models for each of the six lenses were found to be satisfactory. A parcelled structural equation model revealed strong inter-relations between the lenses. Finally, latent models were shown to have a good fit. We conclude that the newly developed instrument does provide researchers with a valid tool to measure FL learner well-being.

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