This paper is submitted by Dr. G.A. Ghanshyam, Head, Dept. of English, Govt. M.L. Shukla College, Seepat, Bilaspur (C.G.) India 495555
The aptitudes you need to succeed start with intellectual horsepower- but people need emotional competence, too, to get the full potential of their talents. The reason we don’t get people’s full potential is emotional incompetence. (WEI 26)
Man being a social animal lives in a society wherein communication is the important link that links him to his fellow beings and society. When we speak of communication, the most important thing that comes to mind is the crucial role that language plays in communication. Language is the basis of communication; for communication to be effective, the language in use has to be clear, coherent, apt and most importantly expressive.
Expression is an important factor in language use. What we feel, for whom we feel, intensity of feelings; our emotions are in fact a key element in expression through language. Communication depends on social interaction and soft skills as much as it depends on language use. It is very important that for communication to be effective the right stress, punctuation, voice modulation, pitch, etc. have to be correctly incorporated into language use. These are greatly influenced by our emotions or feelings.
EI and ELT are co-related fields that have been a subject of study in the recent years. Popularised by Daniel Goleman in the mid-90s, the field of ELT has been revolutionized by the concept that takes into consideration for the first time the essential emotional quotient inherent in communication. Goleman defines emotional intelligence as “knowing what one’s feelings are and using that knowledge to make good decisions.” (EI 9). Goleman has himself chalked out five basic components of EI:
- Self-Awareness: The person recognizes his/her emotions and is able to handle them more appropriately and judiciously. This also makes the person aware of one’s own positive attributes, strengths, negative aspects and weaknesses.
- Self-Regulation: When a person becomes aware of one self, he/she can handle and regulate his/her feelings in a better and appropriate manner. The person becomes more responsible and develops positive attributes of novelty, flexibility, integrity and honesty.
- Motivation: Better level of EI makes a person positive and better equipped to handle failures and shortcomings for then he/she instead of blaming others or wallowing in self pity tries to overcome the situation in a positive manner. Optimism is engendered as are the qualities of excellence, perseverance, determination and cooperation.
- Empathy: Self awareness leads to an awareness and understanding of others that leads to more fruitful relationships. Group qualities are fostered and aids in the overall development of the individual as well as the group or institution.
- Adeptness in Relationships: Making and maintaining relationships require a sound level of EI. Self awareness and empathy aid the individual to understand oneself and others better, and thus work towards an amicable and complementary decision thereby avoiding conflict and confrontation. Managerial ability, team work, leadership quality are garnered as a result by forming and maintaining relationships.
Communication is not a barren field but highly charged with emotions and feelings. Language students need to be trained not only in the technicalities of the target language but also in the nuances of it that can only be imbibed through proper recognition and employment of correct EI. The incorporation of EI in ELT takes into consideration the very basic essentials for language learning and enhances:
- Social Skills
Correct use of language is a necessary and crucial factor in developing effective and successful social skills. We live in society, and interaction on a daily basis involves interaction at various levels; family, friends, colleagues, superiors, juniors, business associates, etc. Communication and more precisely correct and effective communication or the lack of it can make or break a deal or relationship.
- Enthusiasm
Recognition and employment of EQ in ELT results in a greater level of motivation and interest for the language learning process amongst the students. Familiarity with the inherent nuances of the language enables the learners to be more enthusiastic towards the language learning process that they can emulate in their practical life and relations.
- Expression
Expression being a key element in communication, EQ helps in enhancing it further through correct and proper emotional content. It helps to identify and employ correct language form to convey the message intended effectively and efficiently.
- Bonding
Effective communication skills aided by EI helps the person to bond better and stronger in his/her relationships, both personal as well as professional.
EI is an important field of study that is not only helpful for the language students but also for the language teacher him/herself. In a language classroom the very first obstacle that the teacher and student face is the teacher himself/herself. EI helps the English language teacher to break this initial barrier and bond with the students. A higher level of EI in the language teacher gives him/her the pre-requisite awareness and sensitivity towards the students’ mental status and their apprehension, making him/her more students oriented and better equipped to handle their emotional requirement.
A sensitive and aware teacher will always utilize his/her EI to make the learning process more learners oriented, through innovative and sensitized methods of teaching. It will enable him/her to handle the students’ hesitation, fear and lack of enthusiasm, and overcome the same. He/she can incorporate various strategies and methods to cultivate a higher level of EI amongst the students and this is possible only when the teacher himself/herself has the requisite EI level.
The role of EI is crucial not only for the language classroom and the language learning process but is an important life skill that an individual requires to succeed in life. Language classroom specifically prepares a student, whatever the area of his/her specification might be to put into use or communicate his/her expertise effectively and efficiently. Unless one is able to convey one’s knowledge, it’s of no use or value. Emotional competence is a must and as Goleman says, “An emotional competence is a learned capability based on emotional intelligence that results in outstanding performance at work.” (WEI 28).
EI or emotional intelligence thereby helps and contributes to a more conducive learning experience within the precincts of the language classroom as well as in the world outside. Contemporary global market is flooded with an abundance of skills and expertise but it is the presence of soft skills and EI that adds an edge to one’s expertise and potentiality.
The foremost thing in language learning before embarking on any novel method is to understand the aim of learning the language, which in this case is English. Inclusive of the personal and professional aspects of our lives, the basic aim of language learning is to communicate; to interact socially and EI is the key to engender a positive, fruitful and effective interaction.
According to Goleman EI, “. . . seems to be largely learned, and it continues to develop as we go through life and learn from our experiences . . .” (WEI 8). As such EI is a factor or quality that can be learned or developed through proper training and guidance. A few guidelines that can be incorporated in a language classroom to learn the language as well as to stimulate the level of EI are:
v Plan – The areas and the means through which EI is to be developed in an ELT class needs to identified and marked out clearly. A proper plan is to be chalked out, wherein the process needs to be clearly laid out in the form of well organized steps or levels.
Example:-
Area: Team work.
Means: Role play. (Drama)
v Assess – Prior to the implementation of the plan, the class has to be assessed for its level of competence, IQ and EQ/EI. Proper assessment is crucial to the overall selection of process as a basic knowledge of language is required as well as the strengths and weakness recognized in EI for potential areas of improvement or inculcation of skills.
v Motivate – Garnering an interest in the process and instilling a degree of interest is a must. The learners’ have to be motivated towards the project or team work. Confidence should be instilled in the learners’ mind as to their ability to effectively undertake and complete the work.
v Practice – Any kind of change or the process of learning itself cannot be expected to yield results overnight. Sufficient time and practice, both have to be given for the learners’ to incorporate EI in themselves and in their language. Continued practice that is practically oriented should be the indispensable feature of an EI and ELT training program.
v Change – A shift in attitude is required to usher in a shift in attitude and aptitude. However before aiming to bring in a change in the students’ learning it is essential that the teacher needs to direct the change towards his/her own self. The change should be in accordance with and as per the plan of action to be implemented in order to engender positive and tangible EI development.
v Feedback – Any program or training requires constant monitoring and feedback to ensure that it’s working as per the plan and to make us aware of shortcomings if any. Feedback will not only ensure that the program is running efficiently and on the right track but it will also help us overcome the obstacles and pitfalls in the process as well as boost our self confidence for progress made.
v Reinforce – As per the feedback received, the training program has to be reinforced with renewed enthusiasm and positivity through encouragement and motivation. Interest is to be sustained throughout so that the learners’ don’t get distracted from the course undertaken; it has to be refueled on regular interval to generate better results.
v Evaluate – The level of competence that the students’ originally had before the training and that they acquired after should be ascertained based on proper and viable evaluation process. Like the process of feedback that simultaneously follows the program, evaluation should be at the beginning and completion stages of the program and can be determined through projects, tests or reports.
The teaching process that incorporates EI into ELT benefits the students’ and the learning process tremendously. It not only develops a healthy and positive attitude amongst the students’ but also improves the teacher-student interaction, better coordination and understanding. It prepares the students’ for life by enabling them to recognize, handle and express their emotions better and in an improved manner, thereby reinforcing them with the ability to handle the pressures of work and life, overcome stress and anxiety and bond better with their environment and society in a positive and productive manner.
The training program for a language classroom by incorporating EI along with ELT can follow certain guidelines as per mentioned above and innovate and reinvent as per their requirement and situation. A few techniques that can be incorporated within the program can include:
- Introduction: informal and formal
Helps to overcome their initial inhibitions and hesitations and works as a kind of ice breaker amongst the students’ themselves as well as between the teacher and the students’.
- Role play
Proper recognition and expression of emotions can be learned and practiced through role play.
- Group discussion
Group discussion will train the students’ to work in a team. It will help them to express themselves as well as train them to listen. Coordination, teamwork, leadership qualities and cooperation are the qualities that will be imbibed through the task.
- Projects
Projects should involve reports and presentation, and should primarily aim for practical approach.
- Conversation: face to face and telephonic
Conversational skills can be worked upon and improved through suggestive conversational simulations in the class. It will improve their EI while talking on a one to one level. Correct verbal as well as non-verbal skills can be improved and fostered amongst the students’.
- Practical tasks: written and oral
Expression is not restrained to speaking alone, the students’ need to be trained for better expression in the written form as well. Practical tasks apart from the ones mentioned above can be used to enhance their written and oral skills in language use through a proper representation and expression of emotions.
Emotional intelligence or quotient (EI/EQ) is an important feature of communication. Communication is the bridge that connects us to our fellow beings, to society; as such it is the basis of social interaction. If language is the key to communication then EI is the key to language and social interaction. Here it becomes particularly essential and crucial for the language teacher, especially the L2 teacher to imbibe the quality in his/her self and impart it to the students’. EI being positioned at such a significant point in ELT, it is necessary that the teacher trains the students to distinguish, recognize and label feelings; learn to be responsible, empathetic, positive, respectful and grateful; and understand the way in which he/she is to express through language their feelings for and in a particular context.
Works Cited
Goleman, D. Emotional intelligence (EI). New York: Bantam Books, 1995.
Goleman, D. Working With Emotional Intelligence (WEI). 1998.