The Effect of Bilingualism on Iranian EFL Learners’ Multiple Intelligences

Subject Areas : Journal of Teaching English Language Studies

shabnam kurosh khanshan ¹ , hassan asadollahfam ²

1 - English Language Department, Bonab Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bonab, Iran
2 - Assistant Professor, English Language Department, Bonab Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bonab, Iran

Received: 2017-10-31 Accepted : 2017-12-10 Published : 2017-12-01

Keywords: gender, Iranian EFL learners, Bilinguals, multiple intelligences, Monolinguals,

Abstract :

There is paucity of studies particularly on the possible relationship between multilingualism and intelligence in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) context of Iran in particular and all around the world in general. The current study, therefore, aimed at investigating the effect of bilingualism on Iranian EFL learners' multiple intelligences (MI) across gender. To this end, 80 EFL learners, including 20 females and 20 males in each group, from Urmia state and Azad universities participated in this study. The participants were within the age range of 18-26. Data was collected through Multiple Intelligences Profiling Questionnaire offered by Armstrong (1995) including 40 items. Results of an independent samples t-test revealed a significant effect of linguistic background on the MI profile of the participants. In other words, it was in favor of bilinguals who reported higher level of MI. In addition, findings indicated no significant effect of gender on MI. The findings are discussed in relation to effective EFL instruction especially to multi/bilinguals contexts.

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