an investigation of the relation between neuroticism and english language listening anxiety

The objective of this study was to examine whether overall Neuroticism, as a factor of the Big Five, or Neuroticism facets had stronger significant correlations and predictions of English language listening Anxiety (ELLA). The participants (n=328) came from non-English majors and were recruited from Mohammed V University in Morocco. Data were gathered through two instruments: the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R) (Costa & McCrae, 1992a), and Foreign Language Listening Anxiety Scale (FLLAS) (Kim, 2000). The findings reported that two facets (Anxiety and Depression) showed stronger significant correlations with ELLA than overall Neuroticism. Moreover, stepwise multiple regression analyses (stepwise MRA) indicated that three facets (Anxiety, Depression, and Anger) showed a stronger significant prediction of ELLA than overall Neuroticism. Thus, teachers of English language can rely more on Neuroticism facets than on overall Neuroticism as the former give a broader and more accurate prediction of students who may experience ELLA.