Scrutinizing the Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance in Foreign Language Learning

Abstract

Emotional Intelligence (EI) has recently received an enormous amount of interest within the educational settings when pioneers have found integration between EI and academic performance among foreign language learners. Therefore, the present paper is an attempt to discuss the EI in three main sections. In the following sections, the origin and a theoretical framework and major models of EI is presented. Then, the relationships between EI and academic performance will be elaborated. Finally, a review on the studies focusing on the correlation between EI and language learning specifically in different language skills will be presented. On the basis of the results, the researchers conclude that overall EI has a close relationship with academic achievement and is an important requirement for academic success. Thus, it can be claimed that teachers should make a great effort to employ the principles which includes higher levels of EI to activate the interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences to improve learners’ performance in classroom settings.