The Moderating Role of Emotional Intelligence in the Relationship between Foreign Language Enjoyment and English Achievement among Chinese Ethnic Minority College Students: A Theoretical Perspective

Mingxing Li, Asmaa AlSaqqaf

Abstract


This paper proposes emotional intelligence as a moderator in the relationship between English-as-a-foreign language enjoyment and English achievement within the Chinese multilingual context. While foreign language enjoyment serves as the independent variable facilitating English learning, English achievement plays a dependent role in this relationship. Meanwhile, emotional intelligence acts as a moderator that can enhance, diminish, or modify the relationship between English foreign language enjoyment and English achievement. High emotional intelligence enhances learners’ ability to harness positive emotions for sustained motivation and engagement, equips them with effective coping mechanisms, and promotes meaningful social interactions. As a result, learners with high emotional intelligence are more likely to experience greater success and proficiency in English achievement through their enhanced capacity to leverage the benefits of foreign language enjoyment. This paper employs a quantitative approach and utilises questionnaires on emotional intelligence, foreign language enjoyment, and English achievement data to examine the relationship and interplay among 382 ethnic minority college students in China. The study highlights the importance of fostering emotional intelligence and positive affective experiences in the EFL classroom, suggesting that an engaging and enjoyable learning environment contributes to enhanced English achievement.


Full Text:

PDF


DOI: https://doi.org/10.5296/jsel.v12i1.22138

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2024 Mingxing Li, Asmaa AlSaqqaf

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright © Macrothink Institute   ISSN 2329-7034   Journal for the Study of English Linguistics   E-mail: jsel@macrothink.org

To make sure that you can receive messages from us, please add the 'macrothink.org' domain to your e-mail 'safe list'. If you do not receive e-mail in your 'inbox', check your 'bulk mail' or 'junk mail' folders.