On the Relationship between Iranian EFL Teachers' Cognitive Flexibility and Iranian EFL Learners' Attitudes towards English Language Learning

Abstract

It is believed that EFL learners' positive attitudes highly influence their language success. Students' negative attitudes can be replaced by positive ones and this is partly the art and duty of the teachers. Accordingly, there is a need for EFL teachers to try to promote their students' positive attitudes. Different factors including EFL teachers' characteristics contribute to the development of EFL learners' positive attitudes. This study explored the relationship between Iranian EFL teachers' cognitive flexibility and Iranian EFL learners' attitudes towards English language learning. To achieve this aim, a sample of 357 Iranian EFL teachers and 1785 Iranian EFL learners participated for gathering the data. To measure EFL teachers' cognitive flexibility and EFL learners' attitudes as demanded for the study, Iranian EFL teachers filled out Cognitive Flexibility Scale and Iranian EFL learners completed Attitude towards English Language Learning Questionnaire in terms of Behavioral, Cognitive and Emotional aspects. For data analysis Pearson Product-Moment Correlation was run. The results showed a significant relationship between Iranian EFL teacher's CF and their students' attitudes towards English language learning. The results of this study can provide hints for all those who involve in EFL teaching and learning to think about how to integrate CF into EFL educational policy as well as how to promote it as a vital mental capability in EFL teachers and learners.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n6s1p34