Research article    |    Open Access
International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications 2022, Vol. 13(2) 76-89

Grit and Chinese Students' Foreign Language Enjoyment in University

Yvonne Marie TIANDEM-ADAMOU, Jace HARGIS

pp. 76 - 89

Publish Date: December 31, 2022  |   Single/Total View: 0/0   |   Single/Total Download: 0/0


Abstract

The “deaf-dumb” phenomenon whereby students desist from using the target language in classrooms is still prevalent in China today. Few students in English Medium Instruction (EMI) universities in China actively use English to communicate during instruction. Promoting grit skills could boost students’ self-confidence to enjoy learning a foreign language and communicate more. Data were collected from 85 undergraduates using Grit Scale-Short scale and the Chinese version Foreign Language Enjoyment (FLE) scale. Correlation and regression analyses evaluated the relationship between the variables and revealed a significant correlation between grit and FLE. The T-test showed moderate grit levels among participants, with M=3. While the correlation analysis showed a shallow and positive correlation (r=.276, p=0.010), the linear regression test revealed that a unit increase in the grit scale would contribute to a 0.276 growth in positive attitude toward FLES (β=0.276, p=0.010). This result implies that promoting grit skills could increase FLE. Hence engaging students in frequent self-reflection to boost self-confidence, lower anxiety, and increase self-motivation to use the language often is vital. Moreover, instructors should be caring and patient, give frequent, meaningful, and timely feedback on work completed and break large tasks into smaller chunks to motivate students to work passionately towards achieving set long-term goals.

Keywords: Grit, Foreign Language Enjoyment, English as a Foreign Language, Positive Psychology


How to Cite this Article?

APA 7th edition
TIANDEM-ADAMOU, Y.M., & HARGIS, . (2022). Grit and Chinese Students' Foreign Language Enjoyment in University. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications, 13(2), 76-89.

Harvard
TIANDEM-ADAMOU, Y. and HARGIS, . (2022). Grit and Chinese Students' Foreign Language Enjoyment in University. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications, 13(2), pp. 76-89.

Chicago 16th edition
TIANDEM-ADAMOU, Yvonne Marie and  Jace HARGIS (2022). "Grit and Chinese Students' Foreign Language Enjoyment in University". International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications 13 (2):76-89.