The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Academic Achievement of College Students

Abstract

With the ongoing development of educational psychology, Emotional Intelligence (EI) has garnered increasing academic attention as a critical factor influencing students’ academic outcomes. EI, which involves the capacity to identify, comprehend, manage, and apply emotions, is widely recognized as essential for academic success, particularly in language learning contexts. This study systematically examines the influence of EI dimensions on college students’ academic performance in English by synthesizing and analyzing existing literature. A thorough review of international research has been conducted, focusing on the association between EI and the academic performance of non-English majors within the scope of Chinese higher education. The analysis integrates both quantitative and qualitative findings, emphasizing EI’s role in managing anxiety and enhancing motivation in English learning. The results demonstrate a significant positive correlation between EI and academic achievement in English, particularly in aspects related to emotional regulation, social skills, and self-management. Furthermore, EI is identified as a mediating factor in promoting academic performance, notably through the reduction of foreign language anxiety and the enhancement of learning motivation. Based on these findings, this paper advocates for the enhancement of EI in higher education as a strategic approach to support students in improving their academic performance.