The prediction of foreign language achievement on social competence in Chinese adolescent EFL learners

Abstract Being a successful bilingual comes with numerous advantages in human development, and much work has been centered on the cognitive benefits of bilingualism. While research in first language development suggests language ability, as a foundation for communication, affects the development of...

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Main Authors: Jiahuan Zhang, Man Wang, Wen Ma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2025-05-01
Series:Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04974-x
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author Jiahuan Zhang
Man Wang
Wen Ma
author_facet Jiahuan Zhang
Man Wang
Wen Ma
author_sort Jiahuan Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Being a successful bilingual comes with numerous advantages in human development, and much work has been centered on the cognitive benefits of bilingualism. While research in first language development suggests language ability, as a foundation for communication, affects the development of social competence, less is known about whether and how bilingualism relates to individuals’ social competence. The present study investigates the relationship between foreign language achievement and social competence of Chinese EFL learners in a junior high sample. The ability of emotion regulation is also considered as a regulating factor. Regression analysis is employed to examine the predictive effects of foreign language achievement and emotion regulation on social competence, controlling for gender, age, and non-verbal intelligence. The cross-sectional findings indicate that foreign language achievement correlates positively with and can predict social competence. In addition, the relationship between foreign language achievement and social competence is modulated by emotion regulation. Our findings highlight the significance of foreign language learning for social competence development, at least in Chinese adolescent EFL learners.
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spelling doaj-art-ed4023126cb34ceeb8b5e6316b00a8872025-08-20T03:10:14ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922025-05-011211710.1057/s41599-025-04974-xThe prediction of foreign language achievement on social competence in Chinese adolescent EFL learnersJiahuan Zhang0Man Wang1Wen Ma2School of Foreign Languages, Qingdao UniversitySchool of Foreign Languages, Qingdao UniversitySchool of Foreign Languages and Literature, Shandong UniversityAbstract Being a successful bilingual comes with numerous advantages in human development, and much work has been centered on the cognitive benefits of bilingualism. While research in first language development suggests language ability, as a foundation for communication, affects the development of social competence, less is known about whether and how bilingualism relates to individuals’ social competence. The present study investigates the relationship between foreign language achievement and social competence of Chinese EFL learners in a junior high sample. The ability of emotion regulation is also considered as a regulating factor. Regression analysis is employed to examine the predictive effects of foreign language achievement and emotion regulation on social competence, controlling for gender, age, and non-verbal intelligence. The cross-sectional findings indicate that foreign language achievement correlates positively with and can predict social competence. In addition, the relationship between foreign language achievement and social competence is modulated by emotion regulation. Our findings highlight the significance of foreign language learning for social competence development, at least in Chinese adolescent EFL learners.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04974-x
spellingShingle Jiahuan Zhang
Man Wang
Wen Ma
The prediction of foreign language achievement on social competence in Chinese adolescent EFL learners
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
title The prediction of foreign language achievement on social competence in Chinese adolescent EFL learners
title_full The prediction of foreign language achievement on social competence in Chinese adolescent EFL learners
title_fullStr The prediction of foreign language achievement on social competence in Chinese adolescent EFL learners
title_full_unstemmed The prediction of foreign language achievement on social competence in Chinese adolescent EFL learners
title_short The prediction of foreign language achievement on social competence in Chinese adolescent EFL learners
title_sort prediction of foreign language achievement on social competence in chinese adolescent efl learners
url https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04974-x
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