Investigating EFL Learners’ Multiple Intelligences in the Preparatory Year at Taif University

Abstract

The present paper aims to investigate the English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ multiple intelligences (MIs) in the preparatory year at Taif University in Saudi Arabia, and to provide suggestions for EFL instructors to integrate MIs in their lesson plans for instructional use in the classroom. To achieve these purposes, the researcher attempted to answer three questions. The first question investigated the different types of MSs that EFL learners possess. The second question examined whether there were any statistically significant differences (a= 0.05) in EFL learners’ MIs due to stream (Humanities, Sciences and Health). The third question was an attempt to synthesize literature in order to suggest ways for instructors to integrate MIs in the EFL classroom. A questionnaire of 4- Likert Scale was used to gather data from four hundred and eighty two students to answer the first two questions. And content analysis was used to answer the third question. The collected data were analyzed in the form of descriptive statistics. The results revealed that students do not tend to have interest in musical and naturalistic intelligences. In addition, there were statistically significant differences among the streams in the perceptions of their MIs in favor of the health stream students. The researcher also synthesized literature and suggested a number of techniques and activities to help instructors integrate MIs in their plans. Based on the results, the researcher presented a number of conclusions and recommendations.