Education, Science, Technology, Innovation and Life
Open Access
Sign In

The Correlation between English Emotional Intelligence and Work Engagement of Secondary School Teachers in China

Download as PDF

DOI: 10.23977/aetp.2025.090318 | Downloads: 13 | Views: 262

Author(s)

Hongmei Li 1, Yige Cheng 1

Affiliation(s)

1 Guizhou Qiannan College of Science and Technology, Qiannan, Guizhou, 550600, China

Corresponding Author

Hongmei Li

ABSTRACT

Emotional intelligence is distinguished as a key factor that influences work engagement. However, there is limited research exploring the relationship between emotional intelligence and work engagement among secondary school English teachers in China's ethnic regions. Therefore, this study utilizes self-determination theory to support how emotional intelligence affects work engagement in such educational contexts. This study used purposive sampling to survey 301 secondary school English teachers from different ethnic regions in China. SPSS 27.0 was used for correlation analysis. The results of the study showed that (1) English teachers have higher levels of emotional intelligence and work engagement, reflecting the overall high psychological quality of the participants. (2) There is a positive correlation between the variables, showing their positive relationship. Ultimately, this study provides pedagogical insights for educational policy makers and practitioners to guide the improvement of teacher training and support systems so that they can work together to promote educational quality and equity in ethnically diverse regions.

KEYWORDS

Emotional Intelligence; Work Engagement; Secondary School teachers; China's Ethic regions

CITE THIS PAPER

Hongmei Li, Yige Cheng, The Correlation between English Emotional Intelligence and Work Engagement of Secondary School Teachers in China. Advances in Educational Technology and Psychology (2025) Vol. 9: 121-127. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/aetp.2025.090318.

REFERENCES

[1] Atik, S., & Çelik, O. T. Analysis of the relationships between academic motivation, engagement, burnout and academic achievement with structural equation modelling. International Journal of Contemporary Educational Research, 2021,8(2), 118-130.
[2] Bakker, A. B., & Bal, M. P. Weekly work engagement and performance:
A study among starting teachers. Journal of occupational and organizational psychology, 2010,83( 1), 189-206. 
[3] Bartlett, S. The relationship between emotional intelligence, work engagement, creativity and demographic variables. Unpublished Master's thesis. Pretoria: University of South Africa,2015.
[4] Fernández-Abascal, E. G., & Martín-Díaz, M. D. Dimensions of emotional intelligence related to physical and mental health and to health behaviors. Frontiers in psychology, 2015,6, 317. 
[5] Gebregergis, W. T., Beraki, F., Michael, M., Ahmedin, M., Debesay, N., Atoshm, T., & Csukonyi, C.Levels of emotional intelligence and student engagement in Eritrean college students. Hungarian Educational Research Journal,2024. 
[6] Granziera, H., Collie, R., & Martin, A. Understanding teacher wellbeing through job demands-resources theory. Cultivating teacher resilience, 2021,229-244.
[7] Herman, C. R. Development emotional intelligence for increased work engagement, organisational commitment, and satisfaction with work life (Doctoral dissertation, Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University),2013.
[8] Jia, M., & Cheng, J. Effect of teacher social support on students' emotions and learning engagement: a US-Chinese classroom investigation. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 2024,11( 1), 1-9.
[9] Liu, Y., Wang, Z., & Lü, W. Resilience and affect balance as mediators between trait emotional intelligence and life satisfaction. Personality and Individual differences, 2013,54(7), 850-855.
[10] Mayer, J. D., CARUSO, D. R., & SALOVEY, P. Emotional Intelligence Meets. 1997.
[11] Mayer, J. D., Salovey, P., & Caruso, D. R. TARGET ARTICLES:" emotional intelligence: Theory, findings, and Implications”. Psychological inquiry, 2004,15(3), 197-215.
[12] Mérida-López, S., & Extremera, N. Cuando la falta de compromiso ocupacional del profesorado novel no es suficiente para explicar la intención deabandono:¡la inteligencia emocional importa!. Revista de psicodidáctica, 2020,25( 1), 52-58.
[13] Nunan, D. Designing tasks for the communicative classroom. Cambridge university press,1989.
[14] Perera, H. N., Vosicka, L., Granziera, H., & McIlveen, P. Towards an integrative perspective on the structure of teacher work engagement. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 2018,108, 28-41.
[15] Sawitri, D. R. Correlation between Emotional Intelligence and Work Engagement of Special School Teachers. American Scientific Publishers,2017.
[16] Schaufeli, W. B., Salanova, M., González-Romá, V., & Bakker, A. B. The measurement of engagement and burnout: A two sample confirmatory factor analytic approach. Journal of Happiness studies, 2002,3, 71-92.
[17] Schaufeli, W. B., Bakker, A. B., & Salanova, M. Utrecht work engagement scale-9. Educational and Psychological Measurement,2003.
[18] Selvi, A. J. A., & Aiswarya, B. Examining the relationship between emotional intelligence and work engagement of automobile sector employees in Chennai. Rajagiri Management Journal, 2023,17(2), 156-169.
[19] Serrat, O. Understanding and developing emotional intelligence. Knowledge solutions: Tools, methods, and approaches to drive organizational performance, 2017,329-339.
[20] Stapleton, P., Garby, S., & Sabot, D. Psychological distress and coping styles in teachers: A preliminary study. Australian Journal of Education, 2020,64(2), 127-146
[21] Vesely, A. K., Saklofske, D. H., & Leschied, A. D. Teachers—The vital resource: The contribution of emotional intelligence to teacher efficacy and well-being. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 2013,28( 1), 71-89.
[22] Vesely-Maillefer, A. K., & Saklofske, D. H. Emotional intelligence and the next generation of teachers. Emotional intelligence in education: Integrating research with practice, 2018,377-402.
[23] Wong, C. S., & Law, K. S. (2002). Wong and law emotional intelligence scale. The leadership quarterly,2002.

All published work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright © 2016 - 2031 Clausius Scientific Press Inc. All Rights Reserved.