Social Science and Human Research Bulletin

Emotional intelligence (EI) has been considered its correlation with foreign language speaking anxiety (FLSA). The present study explores their research landscape and hotspots by conducting a bibliometric analysis. The results of bibliometric analysis based on 242 published peer-reviewed articles presented that there is a steady growing number of articles related to this research area. Different research hotspots throughout the timespan were identified. The current review provides implications for students and educators.

Emotional intelligence, foreign language speaking anxiety, bibliometric analysis, research landscape, research hotspots

1. Ateş, A. & Bahşi, N. (2022). The Effects of Emotional Intelligence of the Foreign  Students Learning Turkish Language on Speaking and Writing Anxiety. Education Quarterly Reviews, 5(4), 160-171. https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1993.05.04.582              
2. Aydin, S., Harputlu, L., Savran, S., Uştuk, O. & Güzel, S. (2017). Age, gender and         grade effect on foreign language anxiety among children. Teflin Journal, 28(2), 133. https://doi.org/10.15639/teflinjournal.v28i2/133-154
3. Babanoğlu, M. P. (2025). Decoding the relationship between emotional intelligence and foreign language anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Language Teaching Research, Article 13621688251345726.
4. Bata, S. & Castro, C. (2021). El manejo de la inteligencia emocional en los estudiantes de lengua extranjera mientras presentan sus exámenes orales de inglés. Profile-Issues in Teachers Professional Development, 23(2), 245-261. https://doi.org/10.15446/profile.v23n2.88378
5. Boyatzis, R. E. (2009). Competencies as a behavioral approach to emotional intelligence. Journal of Management Development, 28(9), 749–770. https://doi.org/10.1108/02621710910987647
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7. Dewaele, J.M. (2007). Predicting language learners' grades in the L1, L2, L3, and L4: The effect of some psychological and sociocognitive variables. International Journal of Multilingualism, 4(3), 169-197. https://doi.org/10.2167/ijm080.0
8. Dong, D., Shen, J., Gong, D., Sun, T., Chen, J. & Fujioka, Y. (2025). Research trends in Vegetation spatiotemporal dynamics and driving forces: A bibliometric analysis (1987–2024). Forests, 16, 588. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16040588
9. Goleman, D. (1998). Working with emotional intelligence. Bantam Books. https://doi.org/10.1002/ltl.40619981008 
10. Ho, A. G. (2024). Emotion guideline workbook: Managing the design process. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003464815
11. Hu, L., & Wang, Y. (2023). The predicting role of EFL teachers’ immediacy behaviors in students’ willingness to communicate and academic engagement. BMC Psychology, 11(1), 318. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01378-x
12. Li, Q., & Chan, K. K. (2024). Test takers’ attitudes of using exam-oriented mobile application as a tool to adapt in a high-stakes speaking test. Education and Information Technologies, 29, 219-237. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12297-0
13. Martinez, M. N. (1997). The smarts that count: Even rocket scientists need to develop their emotional intelligence if they want to soar to new performance heights. HRMagazine, 42, 72–78. https://doi.org/10.1134/1.1131170
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15. Ouaja, M., Widiati, U., Basthomi, Y. & Jahbel, K. (2020). The relationship between emotional intelligence and receptive English skills of Tunisian IT students: A preliminary study. Teflin Journal, 31(2), 230. https://doi.org/10.15639/teflinjournal.v31i2/230-258
16. Pishghadam, R. (2009). A quantitative analysis of the relationship between emotional intelligence and foreign language learning. Electronic Journal of Foreign Language Teaching, 6, 31–41.
17. Salovey, P., & Mayer, J. D. (1990). Emotional intelligence. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 9(3), 185–211. https://doi.org/10.2190/dugg-p24e-52wk-6cdg
18. Shao, K., Yu, W. & Ji, Z. (2013). An exploration of Chinese EFL students' emotional intelligence and foreign language anxiety. The Modern Language Journal, 97(4), 917-929. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.2013.12042.x
19. Tadjouri, A. (2017). An exploration into speaking anxiety and its effects in the EFL classrooms: The case of second year license students at Abu Bekr Belkaid University of Tlemcen. Language Learning, 43(1), 85-170.
20. Zafari, M. & Biria, R. (2014). The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and language learning strategy use. Procedia- Social and Behavioral Sciences. 98, 1966-1974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.03.630
21. Zhang, C. (2023). The effects of emotional intelligence on students’ foreign language speaking: A narrative exploration in China’s Universities. The Qualitative Report, 28(12), 3494-3513. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2023.6296
22. Zhang, J., & Zhang, L. J. (2024). Profiling L2 students’ writing self-efficacy and its relationship with their writing strategies for self-regulated learning. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2024.103253
23. Zou, X. & Park, H. (2024). The interrelationships of L2 willingness to communicate, emotional intelligence, foreign language classroom anxiety and teacher immediacy. The Journal of AsiaTEFL, 21(1), 53-73. https://doi.org/10.18823/asiatefl.2024.21.1.4.53