Unraveling the interplay of grit, motivation, and achievement among EFL learners

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the relationships among EFL learners’ L2 grit, L2 motivation, and L2 achievement. The study also investigated the role of L2 motivation and L2 achievement in predicting L2 grit. In this quantitative study, which was conducted with 500 Turkish EFL learners, the data on L2 grit and L2 motivation were collected through a questionnaire, whereas the data on L2 achievement were obtained from the composite scores of the term. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation, and simple standard regression analyses. The results showed a positive and statistically significant correlation between L2 grit, L2 motivation, and L2 achievement. Notably, the largest statistically significant correlation emerged between L2 grit and L2 achievement, whereas the smallest one was between L2 motivation and L2 achievement. Besides, both L2 achievement and L2 motivation contributed to the prediction of EFL learners’ grit, with L2 achievement demonstrating greater predictive power. The findings suggest practical implications for EFL instruction and for promoting learners’ grit