Introversion-Extroversion and Efl Proficiency among first year Students at Addis Ababa University

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Date

1998-01

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between the introversion-extroversion tendencies of first year students at Addis Ababa University and their proficiency in English as a Foreign Language (EFL). It was hypothesized that in an ESLIEFL situation, introverted students would attain higher English proficiency scores in reading, grammar and listening tests because of their tendencey to prefer reading to talking, rules to examples, working alone to with others, figuring things to talking to others. In order to test the hypothesis that introverts are more proficient in English reading, grammar and listening, students from a randomly selected classes in the Science Faculty and the College of Social Sciences completed a personality questionnaire (EPI) and 45 subjects from the Science Faculty and 49 from the College of Social Sciences took an English proficiency test that was designed and formatted on the basis of examination papers normally prepared by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature (DEFLL). The hypothesis that introverts are more proficient in English reading, grammar and listening tests was not supported. The average score comparison showed that extroverts (both males and females) scored higher than introverts. No significant age difference was observed between introverts and extroverts. Although the correlation coefficient value showed a significant inverse relationship between introversion-extroversion and English proficiency test scores in grammar and listening, the insignificant correlation coefficient values for the relationship between introversionextroversion and reading as well as the total English proficiency test score are taken as evidences for the absence of significant relationships. These findings are discussed with respect to psychological and cultural factors that are predominant in Ethiopian society.

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Proficiency among first year Students

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