Personality, emotional intelligence and l2 use in an immigrant and non-immigrant context

Abstract

Intergroup climate and personality are at the basis of the pyramid of L2 users’ willingness to communicate (MacIntyre, Clément, Dörnyei, & Noels, 1998). Therefore, it was acknowledged that an individual’s personality profile could determine that individual’s willingness to communicate in the foreign language. The present study aimed to investigate the link between Personality traits and Emotional intelligence (EI) and frequency of L2 use in an immigrant and non-immigrant context. Statistical analyses revealed that the degree of L2 use was linked to different personality traits in the immigrant and non-immigrant sample. Some differences in personality traits were also reported among non-immigrant and immigrant informants with the immigrants scoring significantly higher on Openness, Self-esteem and Wellbeing.