EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN LANGUAGE LEARNING: ADDRESSING SENSITIVE ISSUES

Abstract

This study investigates the correlation between student’s emotional intelligence (EI) and their comfort in discussing sensitive topics within English classrooms and examines how EI influences students' attitudes towards it. Conducted with 39 English major students at Dian Nuswantoro University, the research aims to determine students' EI quality. The data was collected through a questionnaire and quantitative methods to analyze the data. The questionnaire delves into students’ EI regarding self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills. The findings were compared to previous research on students' interest and comfort levels in discussing culturally sensitive topics. Results indicate that higher emotional intelligence correlates with students' comfort level in discussing sensitive issues. Highlighting the importance of EI in fostering a supportive and inclusive classroom environment. This study underscores the potential of EI development in enhancing student engagement and creating a positive atmosphere for addressing sensitive topics in educational settings.