Exploring L2 grit among Saudi university students: disciplinary, gender, and proficiency perspectives

This study examined L2 grit levels among Saudi university students learning English for academic purposes. It also explored the relationships between gender, academic discipline, self-perceived English proficiency, and L2 grit. The participants included 188 Saudi students enrolled in English for academic purposes courses at a public university in Saudi Arabia. This research employed a quantitative approach, using a questionnaire for data collection. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The results showed that students had higher levels of L2 grit across both dimensions: perseverance of effort and consistency of interest. Gender was not a significant factor in influencing grit levels. However, students in the scientific disciplines reported higher levels of perseverance and consistency of interest than their peers in the humanities disciplines. Moreover, both dimensions of grit were positively correlated with students’ self-reported English proficiency. These findings provide important theoretical and pedagogical insights into the role of L2 grit in foreign language learning and instruction.