Investigating the Link between Emotional Intelligence and Intercultural Communicative Competence in EFL Context. Case Study

Abstract

The major aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) among EFL students, through examining the ways individuals with different levels of EI handle intercultural communication challenges. To achieve this, the researchers used a quasi-experimental study where a mixedmethods approach was adopted. Classroom observations were conducted with three randomly selected groups of second-year LMD students during their Oral Expression sessions at the Department of Letters and English Language, University of 08 Mai 1945 – Guelma, in order to examine how emotional and intercultural skills appear in real communication contexts. In addition, a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the same population in order to collect their perceptions and experiences. Throughout the study, the focus was also on how emotional cues such as facial expressions, body language, and differing viewpoints are understood and responded to in intercultural situations. Results revealed that students recognized the importance of empathy, self-regulation, and openness for building successful intercultural relationships not only for managing emotions.