Training Emotional Intelligence to Promote the English Reading Performance of Learners With Dyslexia Risk in China

The study examined the effects of an emotional intelligence training programme on improving the English reading performance of university students with dyslexia risk in China. It is an experimental study with mixed-research methods. A total of 61 students with dyslexia risk were selected as an experimental group and a control group. The two groups were taught by the same English teacher using the same method. In addition, learners in the experimental group received emotional intelligence training. After 21 weeks, the research team investigated learners' English reading performance and emotional intelligence. The analysis results revealed that the mean scores for emotional intelligence (67.00 vs. 63.77, p = 0.004 < 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.764, medium effect) and English reading performance (86.97 vs. 84.55, p = 0.002 < 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.832, large effect) in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The study uncovered that an English training programme embedded with an emotional intelligence training program promotes the English reading performance of learners with dyslexia risk significantly higher than a pure English training programme, and training EI is a potential way to improve the English reading performance of learners with dyslexia risk.