Politeness in a Foreign Language Context: a Case of Extrovert and Introvert EFL learners

Abstract

In the present study Classroom politeness is operationally defined according to various strategies or behaviors that the students in question draw upon in reacting to different situations based on their personality type. The study explores through a survey and a discourse completion test the degree of politeness according to personality types in an Iranian context indicate to certain situations. Results show that the possible causes for the any perceived differences in 'impoliteness' between the learners with different personality types are more 'cultural' rather than that of 'impoliteness' on the part of the students. Recommendations are made for program coordinators and teachers to deal with this issue in EFL classrooms along with future needed research.