A Study Of The Impact Of Introversion/extroversion On English Proficiency Of Normal University Students

In the eyes of many language teachers and learners, personality factor constitutes a major factor contributing to success or failure in language learning. And extroversion and introversion is one aspect of personality. The extroversion/introversion distinction refers to one of several dimensions or traits which together compose an individual's personality. In general, extraverts are sociable, like parties, have many friends and need excitements; they are sensation-seekers and risk-takers, like practical jokes and are lively and active. Conversely introverts are quiet, prefer reading to meeting people, have few but close friends and usually avoid excitement.The study intends to answer the following three questions: first, what are the overall personality types of English majors in normal university; second, what is the relationship between extroversion/introversion and the language proficiency of English majors; third, are there any differences between extroverts and introverts in English language proficiency.Researches on extroversion and introversion have shown that the study of personality does hold considerable promise. Thus, extroversion and introversion is thought to be important in individual learner studies in second language acquisition. Regarding to the relationship between extroversion/introversion and L2 study, there are two major hypotheses. The first is that extroverted learners will do better in acquiring basic interpersonal communication skills (BICS). While the second hypothesis is that introverted learners will perform better in developing cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP).However, researches on the relationship between extroversion/introversion and language proficiency about English majors in normal universities are rare. In China, relatively fewer papers are concerned with the relationship between extroversion/introversion and language proficiency. Thus, this area need further research especially on the exactness in certain range of subjects or in different learning situations. This research aims to investigate the relationship between extroversion/introversion and language proficiency based on English majors in normal university.The instruments used in this study are Eysenck Personality Questionnaire— Revised(EPQ-R) which aims to test the personality types of the subjects, and the scores taken from TEM-4(2009) to measure English proficiency of the participants. Besides, an interview which better answers for the research questions is also used as a supplement to the questionnaire. The quantitative data are analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Science 13.0 (SPSS). Descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation analysis and Independent-Samples T-test are used to answer the research questions in this study. All the answers to the questions in interview are also presented in sequence and discussed later. The results are as follows:The statistical results indicate that students'personality types are varied; there is a significant negative relationship between extroversion and English language proficiency; and extroverts and introverts do not have significant differences in English language proficiency. Results from the interview show that some students hold wrong views on their personality types; half of the participants think there is a relationship between personality types and English learning; more than half participants think they are not worse than their counterparts; and though more than half want to change their personality or want their teachers to fit them, most of them are confused of how to change or how to find help from their teachers.In conclusion, extroversion and introversion factor is a very important factor in English language learning process. This study has given some implications. A better testing system would be built up using reading, listening, and writing measures, as well as oral test procedures; English teachers have to consider thoroughly on students'personality. Introvert/extrovert learners'needs should be considered; there are generally two ways for teachers to adapt for different students: first, teachers can be in accordance with its natural tendency,second, instruction for learner differences should be adapted; individualized teaching is not a kind of learning method, but one education idea.