Developing and Validating an EFL Learners’ Spiritual Intelligence Inventory: A Mixed-Methods Study

Subject Areas : All areas of language and translation

Masoumeh Azadi ¹ (English Department, Islamic Azad University, West Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran)
Parviz Maftoon ² (English Department, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran)
Minoo Alemi ³ (English Department, Islamic Azad University, West Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran)

Received: 2022-11-05 Accepted : 2022-11-05 Published : 2022-10-01

Keywords: Exploratory Factor Analysis, EFL learners, Spiritual Intelligence Inventory,

Abstract :

The present study developed a questionnaire (Appendix 1) based on the relevant literature and interviews with 22 EFL learners, resulting in a 27-item questionnaire that was distributed among 360 EFL learners. A sequential mixed methods design was used. The analysis of the qualitative data revealed the elements of EFL learners’ spiritual intelligence. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of EFL learners’ responses generated four factors, namely: (1) Learning English for personal, social, and educational benefits, (2) learning English for personal, social, and academic achievement, (3) learning English to promote religious values, and (4) learning English for intercultural communication. The results of the study suggest that this scale is a reliable and valid measure of EFL learners’ SI. This study also revealed that SI has a significant relationship with gender and educational levels. The findings can help researchers define SI and how EFL learners’ SI can be measured. Educationists, practitioners, academics, theorists, teacher training centers, teachers, curriculum constructors, and pedagogic planners may find the results of this study beneficial if they are concerned with the importance of SI in the educational context and its influence on the performance of EFL learners.

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