By administering the validated Persian version of Characteristics of Effective English Language Teachers (CEELT) and the NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) to 1260 learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) and one hundred eighteen EFL teachers in Iran, this study explored whether there was any significant relationships between factors underlying the CEELT and teachers’ personality. It was found that among the five factors underlying the CEELT, four factors, i.e., Rapport, Fairness, Qualification and Facilitation correlated significantly with the four dimensions of teachers’ personality, i.e., Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Openness. As the fifth factor underlying effective EFL teaching, Examination, however, correlated significantly but negatively with Extraversion. It did, nonetheless, reveal positive and significant relationship with Neuroticism, and Openness. The implications of the findings such as the close relationship between Qualification and Conscientiousness and their relevance to Facilitation are discussed and suggestions are made for future research.

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