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Despite the fact that personality factors and learning strategies are of great importance in success with language learning, the link between extroversion and introversion and language-learning strategies has received little attention from researchers. Therefore, I investigated whether or not there is any correlation between these personality traits and language-learning strategies. Participants in the study were 106 extroverted and 94 introverted students. The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and the Strategy Inventory for Second Language Learning (SILL) were employed. The findings indicated that, with the exception of communicative strategies, introverted learners used a greater range of metacognitive and cognitive strategies than did extroverted learners.
Keywords: extroversion, introversion, language-learning strategies, personality factors, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Strategy Inventory for Second Language Learning.
Although introverted and extroverted personality types have been identified in studies as significant factors in other areas of educational and psychological research, they have received only sporadic attention in studies of languagelearning strategies, which are very often associated with success in language learning. Whether or not extroverts or introverts are better language learners has been a subject of much debate. Some researchers tend to associate extroversion with better language-learning performance (Dewaele & Furnham, 2000; Sidek, 2012), and some suggest counterevidence in favor of introverted learners (Gan, 2011).
Ellis (1994) stated that there are two major hypotheses about the possible relationship between the dichotomy of introversion/extroversion and language learning. It is argued in the first hypothesis that extroverts are more successful language learners as they are better at basic interpersonal communication strategies. Conversely, it is claimed in the second hypothesis that introverts are better language learners as they have developed cognitive academic ability. In a rare study on personality types and language-learning strategies, Ehrman and Oxford (1989) found that extroverts tended to employ more affective strategies. Extroverts favored the use of visualization strategies whereas introverts were keen to communicate meaning. Introverts were found to be slow to initiate, or respond to, a conversation because they were concerned about meaning and context.
Of the various psychological measurement inventories that researchers have used to determine personality traits, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) has been widely used (Dörnyei, 2005; Ehrman & Oxford, 1989). In addition, the MBTI has served well as a psychometric tool to determine personality traits of language...