Oral communication strategies and multiple intelligences: Exploring the relationship

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between the use of oral communication strategies (OCSs) and multiple intelligence(s) (MI) of Iranian EFL learners. In addition, it investigated what type of intelligence(s) could act as the best predictor of OCSs. To these ends, Nakatani's (2006) Oral Communication Strategy Inventory and Armstrong's (1994) MI Inventory were used to collect data from 120 homogenous intermediate EFL participants selected from a larger sample at Shahrekord and Arak universities. The data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially using correlation and multiple regression procedures. Results showed that among strategies for coping with speaking problems, the participants perceived themselves higher at 'message-abandonment', 'nonverbal', and 'message reduction and alteration' strategies, and among strategies for coping with listening problems, they perceived themselves higher at 'word-oriented' and 'nonverbal' strategies. Also, logical intelligence was the leading intelligence type and musical intelligence was the least common type of intelligence. Moreover, there was a positive relationship between spatial intelligence and OCSs, with the spatial intelligence as the best predictor of the use of OCSs.