Philippine E-Journals

Levels of Acculturation and Emotional Intelligence of the Foreign College Students of Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba

Charles Frederick M. Canoy | Ian Kenneth T. Hicban | Anne Patrice H. Sancon

 

Abstract:

The researchers investigated the relationship between the emotional intelligence and the acculturation level of foreign college students of Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba. The researchers used an explanatory research design, a mixed method approach with 10 respondent-participants in which the quantitative data, the level of acculturation in the Filipino culture was gathered through the Filipino (Tagalog) Acculturation Scale (FAS) and the emotional intelligence was gathered through the Work Profile Questionnaire (WPQei). The qualitative data, on the other hand, were obtained through the semi-structured interviews based on the psychosocial needs of the respondent-participants. The researchers identified the psychosocial needs in terms of their academics, socialization, cultural identity of the respondent- participants through thematic analysis. The study revealed that there is a correlation between the subdomains of the Filipino (Tagalog) Acculturation Scale (FAS) and the domains of the Work Profile Questionnaire Emotional Intelligence (WPQei); language competency and empathy; and values and traits and emotion and values and traits. However, dietary, hygiene, and health were not significantly related to motivation. Hence, a structured learning experience (SLE) should be implemented for foreign students when they experience difficulties in managing their emotions and in adapting to new culture. In this way, it will be determined if these interventions are sufficient or there is a need to develop a more complex program for the foreigners’ local language ability.