Personality and second language learning

Predicting Effects of Personality Traits, Self-esteem, Language Class Risk-taking and Sociability on Chinese University EFL Learners' Performance in English

“…This further supports numerous existing studies (Hwu, 2007;Robinson et al, 1994;Verhoeven & Vermeer, 2002;Wakamoto, 2000). That is, an individual who reported to be more tough-minded (higher on P) or more inclined to fears and anxiety (higher on N) tended to perform worse in the midterm exam.…”

“…… The tough think of the tender as sentimentalists and soft-heads while the tender feel the tough to be unrefined, callous, or brutal. (James, 1907, cited in Foust, 2007.The role of personality in language learning has long been noted and explored (Brown, 1987;Busch, 1982;Cameron, 1990;Carrell, Prince, & Astika, 1996;Ehrman & Oxford, 1990;Hurd, 2006;Hwu, 2007;MacIntyre & Charos, 1996;Riding & Banner, 1986;Robinson, Gabriel, & Katchan, 1994;Verhoeven & Vermeer, 2002;Wakamoto, 2000). The studies have revealed that certain personality variables such as extroversion, assertiveness, emotional stability, and conscientiousness are conducive to second language learning.…”

The Exploring Nature of Language Learning Strategies (LLSs) and their Relationship with Various Variables with Focus on Personality Traits in the Current Studies of Second/Foreign Language Learning

“…However, regarding the results of the effects of personality traits on LLSs, and the relationships between LLSs and personality traits, there is lack of consensus in the results, inclusive or even contradictory results. For instance, there is a bag of mixed results about the correlation between extraversion and achievement of language learning, for example Robinson, Gabriel and Katchan (1994) found there is positive significant correlation, or Reiss(1983) found extraversion has significant correlation with successful language learning, but Skehan (1989) shows there is not any relationship. In such way, such theories are different and sometimes they are conflicting, and such assumptions may have the potential to affect and lead to different suggested results.…”

“…The studies on individual and personality differences are a central theme in psychology as well as the other areas of social and behavior sciences (Saklofske & Eysneck, 1998 Kiany (1998) found that two of these studies show positive relationship between extraversion and L2 success, three of them have positive relationship between introversion and L2 success, and three of them do not indicate any relationship. Or Robinson, Gabriel and Katchan (1994) found there is positive significant correlation between extraversion and achievement of language learning, but Skehan (1989) proves there is not any relationship. However, there are some more acceptable result such as Ehrman and Oxford (1990) show that inventors are generally uncomfortable with social strategies, and they do not like affective strategies.…”

A Study on the Difficulties of Developing English Speaking Abilities among Chinese Tertiary EFL Students

“…Firstly, for the relationship between performance and personality, evidence has pointed out that extroverts do better on oral than written level [14]. Com-pared with western people, Asians tend to be shy and inner-going in social practice and communications in study and daily life, and this kind of personality is not beneficial for language study.…”