On the Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Vocabulary Learning of Iranian Efl Learners at the Intermediate Level

Abstract

Emotional Intelligence is a crucial psychological factor which recently has attracted the attention of researchers in the field of second/foreign language learning. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was any relationship between emotional intelligence and foreign language vocabulary learning of Iranian learners. To this end, 148 language learners were randomly selected from Alefba and Jahad Daneshgahi language institutes in Ilam. Firstly, Nelson English test was administered as pre-test to homogenize learners through which 120 homogeneious learners were selected. Then, Emotional Intelligence questionnaire (Bar-On's EQ-i) was administered to the participants. Later on, at the end of the course, a vocabulary achievement test was administered, the scores of which were matched with the EI data. To analyze the data, Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient and t-test were used. Although previous studies showed a negative or positive relationship between EI and academic achievement, the findings of the present study indicated that there was no significant relationship between EI and vocabulary learning. Moreover, no difference was found between emotional intelligence of male and female participants.