NEWSROOM

Since the 1940s, the Myers-Briggs Personality Test has become one of the most widely used psychological tests in the world. Recent research has examined the impact of personality types on success in language learning. According to this research, the most successful personality types in language learning are ENFJ, ENTJ, and ENTP.

The research published on Preply's website in Turkish began by addressing questions such as, "Does an introverted person learn the same way as an extroverted one? How do learning processes differ for people with leadership personality types versus those with entrepreneurial traits? What are the personality types and how do they affect the learning process?" Preply, which specializes in personalized language learning experiences, combined academic sources and a survey conducted in September 2024 to support the report. The study, based on perception, information processing, decision-making, and management skills, revealed the organic relationship between the 16 personality types and success in learning.

The Most Successful Personality Types in Language Learning

The research, based on the widely accepted Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which has been taken over 8 million times in Turkey, rated the impact of personality types on learning using a transparent methodology and ranked them according to their success in language learning. The study involved 1,000 Preply online English course students who completed the MBTI test, which evaluates individuals based on preferences such as introversion/extroversion, sensing/intuition, thinking/feeling, and judging/perceiving. The survey results showed that the most successful language learners were those with the Protagonist/Leader (ENFJ), Commander (ENTJ), and Debater (ENTP) personality types.

The research emphasized that MBTI is the most widely applicable and accessible personality test. It also provided a detailed explanation of the meanings of terms like ENTJ and ENTP, and the characteristics of the 16 personality types recommended by Myers-Briggs. According to Preply's research, personality types with dominant leadership traits, extroversion, curiosity, intuition, analytical abilities, planning skills, and a focus on excellence were found to be more successful in learning foreign languages. The research highlighted that the ENFJ, ENTJ, and ENTP personality types share these common characteristics.

"Explorers" Struggle with Language Learning

In the research, which was also supported by academic references, the authors pointed out that the way individuals interact with new information and tasks is shaped by their personality traits. The study showed that introverted individuals scored better in categories such as reading and writing, while extroverts performed better in interaction-based learning methods. The research also emphasized that some personality traits make the process of learning a foreign language easier, while others make it more difficult. Among the personality types that were found to be less successful in language learning, the "Explorers" group, consisting of ISTP, ISFP, and ESTP, stood out.

The authors described these individuals as typically adventurous, multitaskers, and self-directed, who often avoid trying new things. The study highlighted that understanding students' personality types can guide both students and teachers in designing effective learning processes.

"Embrace Your Personality, Start Learning"

Preply, which offers personalized online language courses tailored to individual needs in over 40 languages, concluded its study on the relationship between personality types and language learning with the recommendation that every student should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses in order to make the most of their learning experience.

The researchers summarized the main goal of the study as encouraging students to discover their strengths and areas for improvement, enabling them to identify their needs more clearly. They also emphasized that platforms like Preply, which offer personalization, can help students achieve the best results in the shortest amount of time by understanding themselves. The study mentioned that Preply users can benefit from a wide range of personalized language learning opportunities, from speaking practice and social learning to writing, reading, vocabulary activities, and more. The research concluded with the message: "Embrace your personality, start learning."