Working hard, working smart and working consistently: Towards conceptualising and measuring foreign language tenacity

Abstract

Academic tenacity, at its most fundamental level, is about how hard and how smart an individual works over a long period. While this notion is meant for a broad range of academic contexts, it is particularly recognizable to those who make a lifelong commitment to learning a foreign language (FL). This study reports an initial attempt to conceptualise and measure foreign language tenacity (FLT). The Foreign Language Tenacity Scale (FLTS)—a self-report instrument—was developed and validated with a sample of 272 tertiary-level students studying English as a foreign language (EFL). FLT emerged as a multifaceted construct that positively correlated to foreign language enjoyment (FLE), mental well-being (MWB), language achievement and self-perceived language proficiency, and negatively correlated to foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA). Tenacity appears to represent the key characteristics of successful FL learners effectively. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that FLT and FLCA were significant predictors of language achievement and that including FLT in the analysis (rather than solely FLE and FLCA) explained additional variance. Tenacious FL learners consistently display great effort, remain in control and effectively deal with emerging hurdles to achieve their objectives.