Investigating the effects of growth mindset interventions on motivation, grit, basic psychological needs, and language achievement in EFL learners

This thesis delves into exploring how interventions promoting a growth mindset impact English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners with a focus on their academic progress. The concept of a growth mindset, which involves believing that skills can be developed through effort and perseverance influences students’ motivation, resilience, and success. While there is research in educational contexts there is a notable gap in understanding its specific effects on EFL learners. This study aims to address this gap through three investigations. The initial study delves into the effects of growth mindset interventions on learners’ mindsets, motivation levels, grit, and language achievement. The second study assesses how these interventions impact needs such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Lastly, the third study examines how basic psychological needs can predict and mediate the relationships between EFL students’ language mindsets, grit, and motivation. The first two studies employ a mixed methods approach that combines data with insights to offer a comprehensive analysis. The third study utilizes Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to explore the mediating roles of needs. Findings from the first study indicate enhancements in growth mindset, motivation, grit, and language achievement among participants when compared to those in the control group. The second study reveals impacts on autonomy, competence, and relatedness, among participants. The third study shows that having a growth mindset can positively impact motivation in learning a language with our basic psychological needs playing a role in this connection. This study emphasizes the significance of Self Determination Theory and mindset theory and provides suggestions for educators to incorporate growth mindset principles and cater to psychological needs more effectively. Future studies should focus on addressing limitations like sample size and duration of the study to improve the applicability and depth of the results. Key terms: Growth mindset intervention, English, EFL learners, motivation, grit, language achievement, basic psychological needs satisfaction