Exploring the Impact of Emotional Intelligence on the Development of 21st-Century Skills: a Case study of Master1 Studentsat the Department of English at the University of Ghardaia

Abstract

This study examines the influence of emotional intelligence (EI) on the development of 21st-century skills among first-year Master's students at the Department of English at the University of Ghardaia. EI is an often overlooked factor that can positively shift and improve learner's ability to critically think, creatively solve problems, communicate and collaborate with peers, and adapt to new situations,among other skills that are necessary for success in today’s dynamic world. The research comprises theoretical chapters discussing emotional intelligence and 21st-century skills and underlying the relationship between them and their significance in educational landscape, alongside a practical segment.Employing a mixed-methods approach,quantitative data collected from 40 student questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS, which revealed that emotional intelligence (EI) significantly influenced 21st-century skills, mostly by the relationship management dimension. As for the qualitative data, semi-structured interviews with 3 educators provided deeper insights into how specific EI components self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social-awareness enhance students’ ability to navigate complex cognitive and interpersonal collaborative challenges. The findings of this study advocate for integrating EI-focused programs into educational curricula to prepare students, not only as academic achievers, but also as adaptable collaborators, critical thinkers, and empathetic communicators, equipped to thrive in an unpredictable and interconnected world.