Teachers’ personality traits and students’ motivation: A structural equation modeling analysis

One of the most prominent factors in developing more effective teaching and learning strategies is the association between personality traits and motivation. The current research examined the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and students’ motivation. Thirteen English teachers and 375 high school students participated in this study. The teachers completed the Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and the students filled out Language Learning Orientations Scale – Intrinsic Motivation, Extrinsic Motivation, and Amotivation Subscales (LLOS – IEA). The results showed some significant relationships between the Big Five traits and the subscales of motivation. Particularly, teachers’ conscientiousness personality trait had a positive effect on students’ intrinsic- motivation- knowledge. In addition, teachers’ extraversion personality trait had a negative effect on students’ intrinsic- motivation- accomplishment, and knowledge. The results of this study can help the teachers to know how to behave in the classroom. More specifically, the study shows exactly which personality traits will result in increasing or decreasing students’ motivation.