HomeAbstract of 11th-icetlPositive German Lessons: Cultivating Wellbeing and 24 Character Strengths Through the EMPATHICS Lens in Latvian Secondary DaF Classes

Positive German Lessons: Cultivating Wellbeing and 24 Character Strengths Through the EMPATHICS Lens in Latvian Secondary DaF Classes

  • Jul 7, 2026
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Abstract Book of the 11th International Conference on Research in Education, Teaching and Learning

Year: 2026

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Positive German Lessons: Cultivating Wellbeing and 24 Character Strengths Through the EMPATHICS Lens in Latvian Secondary DaF Classes

Liene Vītola

ABSTRACT:

In recent years, Positive Psychology has increasingly found its place in foreign language education, recognizing that emotional well-being and language acquisition are deeply interconnected. This paper explores a practical framework for integrating Ryan Niemiec’s 24 VIA Character Strengths into the secondary school German as a Foreign Language (GFL) curriculum in Latvia. Utilizing the Oxford-associated EMPATHICS model—which highlights emotional competences such as empathy, motivation, and resilience—this study demonstrates how language lessons can serve a dual purpose: linguistic mastery and character development. The paper provides actionable classroom strategies, lesson ideas, and coaching techniques tailored to the Latvian educational context (Skola2030 competency framework). Ultimately, it argues that embedding character strengths within the EMPATHICS framework not only enhances students’ emotional intelligence and language performance but also fosters a more resilient, positive classroom culture.

Keywords: Positive Psychology, VIA Character Strengths, EMPATHICS Model, German as a Foreign Language (GFL).