The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Willingness to Communicate among EFL Learners

Abstract

The primary goal of this investigation was to explore the existence of any possible relationship between willingness to communicate (WTC) and emotional intelligence (EI) among 60 EFL learners. The data for the research were gathered using WTC and EI questionnaires which were presented in the participants’ native language. The modified version of likert-type WTC questionnaire developed by MacIntyre, Baker, Clement, and Conrod (2001) was employed to assess the participants’ degree of WTC. Students’ EI was measured via a ninty-item Emotional Intelligence Inventory (EQ-i). The findings revealed that the EI profile of learners has a significant correlation with their willingness to participate in L2 communication and that the link between EI and WTC has been affected by gender. In general, as learners’ EI increased, so did their willingness to use the L2 in class. The results of the present study can encourage authorities and EFL teachers to incorporate skills and abilities associated with EI in their curriculum and classroom activities.