Intelligence and language learning

Intelligence

Intelligence has traditionally been defined and measured in terms of linguistic and logical mathematical abilities IQ (intelligence quotient) is based on several generations of testing these two domains. Success in educational institutions and in life in general seems to be a correlate of high IQ.

Intelligence in SLA

In relating intelligence to second language learning, can we say simply that a "smart" person will be capable of learning a second language more successfully because of greater intelligence? After all, the greatest barrier to second language learning seems to boil down to a matter of memory, in the sense that if you could just remember everything you were ever taught, or you ever heard, you would be a very successful language learner. Or would you? It appears that our "language Learning IQs" are much more complicated than that.

Emotional Intelligence

Introduced by David Goleman (1998)

Placing emotion or EQ (emotional quotient) at the seat of intellectual functioning.

The management of even a handful of core emotions

-Anger

-Fear

-Joy

-Love

-Disgust

-Shame

Drives and controls efficient mental or cognitive processing.

Relationship between intelligence and second language learning

In traditional definition, intelligence may have little to do with one’s success as a second language learner.

Gardner attaches other important attributes to the notion of intelligence, which could lead to success of second language learning.