A Study on Psychological Characteristics of EFL Learners: Predicting Learners’ Autonomy through Personality Types

Authors

  • Jahanbakhsh Nikoopour
  • Mahsa Hajian MA, TEFL Department, Islamic Azad University at Tehran North Branch, Iran.

Keywords:

autonomy, big-five personality traits, effective learning and teaching

Abstract

The present research examined the predictability of learner Autonomy through Big-Five personality traits. The participants under study were 150 EFL students, between 19 - 30 years old, at Islamic Azad University of North Tehran, Iran. In order to accomplish the purpose of the study, two instruments were utilized: The learner Autonomy (AU) questionnaire and NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI).The obtained data were analysed through using SPSS software. The results indicated that there is a significant relationship between learners’ autonomy and their personality traits. Besides, running multiple regression through forward method showed that extroversion (R = 32, R2 = .10) was the best predictor of autonomy and conscientiousness (R = .227) showed the least amount of correlation with autonomy. Understanding the relationship between learners’ autonomy and their personality traits contributes to the development of more effective teaching and learning methods.

 

 

References

Scharle, A. & Szabó, A. (2000). Learner autonomy. A Guide to Developing Learner Responsibility. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2008). Defining critical thinking. Retrieved September 22, 2009, from http://www.criticalthinking.org/DefiningCriticalThinking.html

Nation, I. S. P. & Macalister, J. (2010). Language Curriculum Design. New York: Routledge.

Holec, H. (1981). Autonomy and Foreign Language Learning. Oxford: Pergamon.

Little, D. (1991). Learner Autonomy 1: Definitions, Issues and Problems. Dublin: Authentic.

Dam, L. (2000). Evaluating autonomous learning. In Sinclair, B., McGrath, I., & Lamb, T. learner autonomy, teacher autonomy. future directions. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.

Nunan. D. (1997) Designing and adapting materials to encourage learner autonomy. In Benson, P., & Voller, P. (ed) Autonomy & Independence in Language Learning. Harlow: Addison Wesley Longman Ltd., 192-203.

Broady, E., & Kenning, M. M. (1996). Promoting learner autonomy in university language teaching. London: CILT.

Ellis, G., & Sinclair, B. (1989). Learning how to learn English: A course in learner training. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Little, D. (1990). Autonomy in language learning. Teaching modern languages, 81-87.

Little, D. (1995). Learning as dialogue: The dependence of learner autonomy on teacher autonomy. System, 23(2), 175-181.

Little, D. (2003). Learner autonomy and second/foreign language learning. Guide to Good Practice.

Gathercole, I. (1990). Autonomy in Language Learning. Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research, Regent's College, Inner Circle, Regent's Park, London NW1 4NS, England (7.95 British pounds).

Pemberton, R., Li, E. S., Or, W. W., & Pierson, H. D. (1996). Taking control: Autonomy in language learning (Vol. 1). Hong Kong University press.

Benson, P. (2007). Autonomy in language teaching and learning. Language teaching, 40(01), 21-40.

Benson, P. (2013). Teaching and researching: Autonomy in language learning. Routledge.

Benson, P., & Voller, P. (2014). Autonomy and independence in language learning. Routledge.

Wenden, A. (1991). Learner strategies for learner autonomy.

Gremmo, M. J., & Riley, P. (1995). Autonomy, self-direction and self-access in language teaching and learning: The history of an idea. System, 23(2), 151-164.

Dickinson, L. (1995). Autonomy and motivation a literature review. System, 23(2), 165-174.

Voller, P. (1997). Does the teacher have a role in autonomous language learning? Autonomy and independence in language learning, 98-113.

Cotterall, S. (2000). Promoting learner autonomy through the curriculum: Principles for designing language courses. ELT journal, 54(2), 109-117.

Gagné, M. (2003). The role of autonomy support and autonomy orientation in prosocial behavior engagement. Motivation and emotion, 27(3), 199-223.

Hogan, R., Hogan, J.,&Roberts,B.W.(1996). Personality measurement and employment decisions:Questions and answers.American Psychologist, 51(5), 469–477.

Matthews, G., Deary, I. J., & Whiteman, M. C. (2003). Personality traits (second ed.): Cambridge University Press.

Graziano, W. G., & Eisenberg, N. (1997). Agreeableness; A dimension of personality. In S. B. R. Hogan, & J. Johnson (Ed.), Handbook of Personality Psychology. San Diego: CA: Academic Press.

Costa, P.T., Jr. & McCrae, R.R. (1992)."P

Downloads

Published

2016-08-15

How to Cite

Nikoopour, J., & Hajian, M. (2016). A Study on Psychological Characteristics of EFL Learners: Predicting Learners’ Autonomy through Personality Types. Asian Journal of Humanities and Social Studies, 4(4). Retrieved from https://ajouronline.com/index.php/AJHSS/article/view/3947

Issue

Section

Articles