A Case Study: On the Relationship between Learners’ Academic Language Achievement and Their Communication Styles in ELT
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Filiz Yalçın Tılfarlıoğlu, Instr. Burcu Kazaz Akyürek

Abstract
Factors affecting language learning have been discussed for many years to enhance the academic achievement of learners. As a crucial element, learners’ individual differences can be taken into account as a factor affecting language achievement. Learning a foreign language may get harder when learners’ needs and individual differences are ignored, so the effect of communication styles of learners as a part of their individual differences on language learning cannot be underestimated since it constitutes a significant part of individual differences. However, there cannot be found much research in this area, so in order to meet this deficit, this study has been conducted to reveal the possible statistical relationship between learners’ academic achievement and their communication styles (assertive behavior, passive behavior, openly aggressive behavior and concealed aggressive behavior) so as to increase success in language learning. The main purpose of this study is to determine whether or not or to what extent students’ communication styles affect their academic language achievement. For this aim, the research was carried out in the Higher School of Foreign Languages at the University of Gaziantep. A pilot test was applied to 63 students to find out the reliability of the questionnaire and the result was defined as; r= .718. Total population was 466 students who were administered a questionnaire of Interpersonal Influence Inventory involving 40 statements which were put forth to improve the performance of individuals, teams and organizations by HRDQ (2004), the developer of soft-skills learning solutions. Data were analyzed via SPSS 15.0 and the reliability of the data was calculated as .714. Then, the results were discussed in the light of findings and the result between the communication styles of learners and their academic language achievement was found as; r= .038 (r=.038> p=.01)..

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