earticle

영어

This study explored the role of Working Memory (WM), introversion vs. extroversion personality types, and verbal and interpersonal intelligences in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners‟ speaking ability. In addition, the role of WM in extroversion/introversion personality was investigated. Sixty EFL learners participated in the study. They took a WM task, an intelligence and a personality test, and engaged in an oral interview. Results of the independent samples t-test indicated that extroverts performed significantly better than introverts in the oral interview. In addition, results of the binomial logistic regression failed to show any role of WM in the likelihood of being extroverted or introverted. In addition, WM significantly predicted 33.4% of variation in verbal intelligence. Additionally, personality type, WM, and interpersonal intelligence significantly predicted 53.6% of variation in speaking ability, with personality (58.6%) and WM (47.7%) making the biggest contribution. These findings provide evidence on the role of personality and WM on learners‟ speaking ability.