The Interaction of Emotional Intelligence and Self – Efficacy with EFL Learners` Age and Gender

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between EFL students` emotional intelligence (EI) and their sense of self efficacy beliefs. The researcher of the present study set out to investigate this association based on Bandure’s (1986, 1991) contention that self efficacy beliefs adjust performance through different processes. One of the important processes is the learner’s affective states. To investigate the relationship between EI and self - efficacy, 83 English learners were chosen through purposive sampling from an English institute in Iran. The participants were asked to answer the Bar - On EQ - I test as well as Self –Efficacy for Learning Form (SELF) Questionnaire. The findings of the study revealed that there was a significant relationship between EFL learners` EI and their self – efficacy beliefs, and this positive correlation is not affected by gender differences. Moreover, the results showed that there was no significant difference among female and male participants regarding the level of their EI and self - efficacy. Both high-stake and low-stakeholders can avail from the findings of this study.