Reflective thinking, emotional intelligence, and speaking ability of EFL learners: Is there a relation?

•Reflective thinking, emotional intelligence and speaking ability were significantly correlated.•Reflective thinking and emotional intelligence significantly predicted speaking ability.•All components of emotional intelligence significantly correlated with speaking ability and reflective thinking.•Among components of emotional intelligence, only reality testing significantly predicted speaking ability.•Among components of emotional intelligence, only self-actualisation significantly predicted reflective thinking.

The present study investigated the relationship among reflective thinking, emotional intelligence, and speaking ability of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. 150 Iranian EFL university students majoring in English language were randomly selected as the participants of the study who completed the reflective thinking questionnaire (RTQ) developed by Kember et al., (2000), filled out the Bar-On (1997) emotional intelligence questionnaire and sat an interview, the results of which were checked against IELTS speaking skill test descriptor. The results of multiple correlation analyses indicated that there was a significant positive association among: (a) reflective thinking, emotional intelligence, and speaking ability, (b) all fifteen components of emotional intelligence and speaking ability, (c) all fifteen components of emotional intelligence and reflective thinking of participants. Furthermore, the results of multiple regression analyses indicated that both reflective thinking and emotional intelligence significantly predicted speaking ability with the latter being a stronger predictor.