Does multicompetence foster creativity? The case of accomplished multicompetent foreign language learners

Abstract

Does multicompetence foster creativity? The case of accomplished multicompetent foreign language learners The purpose of this study was to analyse personality factors which can indicate creative abilities in 44 accomplished multicompetent foreign language learners. Four factors were tested: Openness to Experience, Creative Personality, Second Language Tolerance of Ambiguity, and Need for Autonomy. The analysis revealed that the factors of Openness to Experience, Creative Personality and Need for Autonomy are moderately high as compared to the norms, whereas Second Language Tolerance of Ambiguity is average. These results suggest that people who are creative, non-standard, independent and open to new experience can be successful foreign language learners. The results may contribute to the understanding of the relationship between multicompetence, creativity, and success in learning a foreign language.

Keywords

• creativity
• multicompetence
• personality
• accomplished multicompetent foreign language learners