Personality Traits and Language Learning Strategies among EFL Students

Abstract

This research delves into the effect of the Big-Five -personality-traits-Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness on acquiring second/foreign languages among individuals from the Iraqi Kurdistan region, spanning linguistics, cognitive science, psychology, and sociology. The interdisciplinary study explores how personality traits intertwine with language learning. Analyzing 495 EFL learners in Kurdistan universities, the research deploys statistical methods to uncover correlations between personality traits and language-learning strategies. The results unveil nuanced associations; for instance, Conscientiousness and Neuroticism influence memory strategies, while Conscientiousness and Agreeableness relate to cognitive strategies. Compensation strategies connect with Conscientiousness and Openness, and metacognition strategies demonstrate ties to Extroversion and Openness. Affective strategies align with Conscientiousness and Neuroticism, and social strategies are linked to Extroversion and Openness. These results emphasize the intricate dynamics of how personality traits influence language learning strategies, emphasizing the need for further investigation into the underlying mechanisms governing this interplay.