The Challenges and Strategies of Introvert and Extrovert EFL Learners in Acquiring English

This study investigates the challenges faced by introvert and extrovert EFL learners in acquiring English and the strategies they use to overcome them. Using a qualitative design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with selected students from the English Education Department at UIN Ar-Raniry. The findings reveal that both personality types experience challenges across the four main language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Introvert learners tend to struggle with anxiety, lack of confidence, and fear of making mistakes in speaking, while extrovert learners are more confident but still face issues with grammatical accuracy. In listening, both groups encounter difficulties with fast speech, unfamiliar vocabulary, and different accents. Reading challenges involve academic vocabulary and complex sentence structures, while writing difficulties relate to grammar, vocabulary choice, and idea organization. To address these challenges, both groups apply strategies such as consistent practice, self-monitoring, and the use of digital media for learning. However, their preferred approaches differ, introverts rely on independent and structured strategies like self-study and preparation, whereas extroverts prefer interactive methods such as discussions and real-life communication. Overall, the study highlights that personality traits influence language learning approaches and suggests the importance of adapting teaching strategies to meet diverse learner needs.