In the past several decades,the cognitive skills in language learning have been put more attention to than emo-tions.While it should be noted that language learning often involves strong positive or negative emotions.Lack of positive emotionin language learning will lead to severe discount of the cognitive competence.This article is intended to discuss the influence ofemotion,especially self-esteem,on motivation in language learning from Schumann’s neurobiological perspective,and the implica-tion of self-esteem for language teaching—how to enhance learners’self-esteem,to promote their motivation,hence to guidethem to step into their next zone of proximal development in both academic performance and social skills and become whole per-sons responsible for our society.
