Emotional Intelligence and Intercultural Competence in Foreign Language Learning

Abstract

The article examines the development of emotional intelligence and its influence on foreign language learning among secondary school students. This issue is particularly important given the limited amount of research on the role of emotional intelligence in educational settings. At the same time, emotional intelligence is increasingly important in a globalised world and for meeting the growing demands of intercultural communication. The article aims to identify the characteristics of students’ emotional intelligence and to demonstrate its significance as a factor in effective foreign language acquisition. The objectives are twofold: first, to define and characterise the concept of “emotional intelligence”; and second, to explore the relationship between students’ emotional intelligence and their foreign language learning outcomes. The research relies on a comprehensive analysis of scholarly sources and semi-structured interviews. The interviews were designed to identify students’ levels of emotional intelligence and their manifestations during foreign language learning.