A Study Of Senior High School Students’ English Learning Grit

With the emergence of Positive Psychology(PP),researchers tend to focus more on learners’ non-cognitive traits,especially some positive elements,like grit.Presently,existing research has proved that grit is a positive predictive trait in learners’ learning achievement.Yet,the current research focus on the relation between grit and students’ general performance in several school disciplines,and few studies apply it to the study of second language.So,the relation between English learning grit and English achievement remains underexplored.Considering the effect of grit on academic achievement documented in existing literature,it is necessary to investigate the influence of English learning grit on English achievement.Therefore,this study mainly aims to explore the current level of senior high school students’ English learning grit,the relationship between their English learning grit and English achievement.Moreover,factors influencing English learning grit are investigated.196 Chinese senior high school students in total participated in this study,and 188 questionnaires were validated.Data of the current study were collected through a questionnaire survey,the mid-term examination,and semi-structured interviews,so as to answer three research questions:(1)What is the current level of English learning grit among senior high school students?(2)What is the relation between senior high school students’English learning grit and their English achievement?(3)What are the factors affecting senior high school students’ English learning grit?After the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data,the major findings of the study are presented as follows.Firstly,senior high school students were of moderately high level of English learning grit,indicating that most senior high school students had interest in English study and could persist in English learning in long terms.However,it did not mean there was no individual difference among them.Secondly,there was a statistically positive correlation between senior high school students’ English learning grit and their English achievement.Thirdly,the factors that influence senior high school students’ English learning grit include gender,personal factors(e.g.,personality,motivation),experiences,and social environment.Based on the above findings,we should pay attention to improving senior high school students" level of English learning grit in order to promote their English achievement.For example,teachers are suggested to introduce students to scientific English learning strategies,guiding them to explore the joy of learning;parents are advised to encourage children to keep learning English whenever they meet setbacks;students should set realistic learning goals and stick to them.