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Extroversion - Introversion in the Context of Foreign Language Learning

Year 2017, Volume: 8 Issue: 3, 1 - 21, 17.12.2017

Abstract

An understanding of personality type can help teachers explain why students approach tasks differently: Some are successful, while some fail to participate in class activities (Oxford & Ehrman, 1990); Wilz, 2000, (as cited in Marefat, 2006, p.116). Many research studies, accordingly, have been done so far in an attempt to measure the level of success in language learning between outgoing students and their reserved counterparts. The results of these studies often turned out to be inconsistent, some showing a clear correlation between extroversion and success in learning a language, and others failing to demonstrate that there is a positive correlation between being extrovert and foreign language proficiency. The current study aimed at discovering the relationship, if any, between learner personality types and their successes in foreign language learning. The researchers administered the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as a reliable instrument to determine the personality type for each subject. Thirty-two male and sixty-eight female intermediate level prep students studying in a middle size university in the north of Turkey participated in this study with, selected on a purposive sampling methodology. The average of each learner’s scores on reading, writing, speaking and listening courses served as an index of their success in language learning. The participants were also asked to fill out the MBTI questionnaire with two options for each item. Individuals were classified on the basis of their self-reported preferences. Analysis of data indicated that there is not a statistically significant relationship between learner personality type and success in language learning.

References

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Year 2017, Volume: 8 Issue: 3, 1 - 21, 17.12.2017

Abstract

References

  • Carlyn, M. (1977). An assessment of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Journal of Personality Assessment, 41 (5), 12-31. [Google Scholar]
  • Erton, İ. (2010). Relations between personality traits, language learning styles and success in foreign language achievement. H. U. Journal of Education, 38, 115-126. [Google Scholar]
  • Eysenck, H. J. (1965). Smoking, Health and Personality. New York: BASIC BOOKS, Inc., Publishers. [Google Scholar]
  • Gass, S. M. (2008). Second Language Acquisition: An Introductory Course. New York: NY: Routledge. [Google Scholar]
  • Hauser, R. W. (2005). An investigation into the Myers-Briggs personality types and Keirsey temperaments of elementary school teachers and elementary school teacher/support providers. . (Doctoral dissertation). Caperlla University. [Google Scholar]
  • Keefe, J. W. (1979). Learning Style: An Overview. In Student Learning Styles Diagnosing and Prescribing Programs. Reston: VA: NASSP. [Google Scholar]
  • Kezwer, P. (1987). The extroverted vs. the introverted personality and second language learning. TESL Canada Journal, 5 (1), 45-57. [Google Scholar]
  • Krashen, S. D. (1997). Foreign language education: The easy way. Culver City: CA: Language Education Associates. [Google Scholar]
  • Marefat, F. (2006). Student Writing, personality type of the student and the rater: any interrelationship? The Reading Matrix 6 (2), 116-124. [Google Scholar]
  • Myers, I. B. (1998). MBTi'Manual: A guide to the development and use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Palo Alto: CA: Consulting Psychologists Press. [Google Scholar]
  • Sharp, A. (2003). Language learning and awareness of personality type in Chinese settings. Asian EFL Journal, 6 (2), 1-7. [Google Scholar]
  • Shekan, P. (1989). Individual Differences in Second Language Learning. London: Edward Arnold. [Google Scholar]
  • Zafar, S. &. (2011). A study on the relationship between extroversion-introversion and risk-taking in the context of second language acquisition. International Journal of Research Studies in Language Learning, 1(1), 33-40. [Google Scholar]
There are 13 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Ali Şükrü Özbay

Tuncer Aydemir

Yasemin Atasoy This is me

Publication Date December 17, 2017
Published in Issue Year 2017 Volume: 8 Issue: 3

Cite

APA Özbay, A. Ş., Aydemir, T., & Atasoy, Y. (2017). Extroversion - Introversion in the Context of Foreign Language Learning. International Journal of Educational Researchers, 8(3), 1-21.