Language Learning in Crisis Mode: The Connection Between LX Grit, Trait Emotional Intelligence and Learner Emotions

When COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, the education sector soon faced unprecedented challenge of moving courses online within no time. The rapid implementation emergency remote teaching (ERT) led to students and teachers alike being thrown into an emotional terra incognita. This paper sets out explore if foreign language (LX) grit, learners’ passion perseverance for LX learning, is predictor enjoyment (FLE) their anxiety (FLCA) in classes taught remotely due COVID-19. Additionally, role trait intelligence (TEI) mediating connections between FLE, FLCA investigated. With web survey, data were collected from 481 English as Foreign Language (EFL) learners Europe. Regression analyses indicated that grit reliable FLE TEI. TEI functioned partial mediator model, explaining significant proportion variance (14.3%) scores. Thus, grittier students, who also more emotionally intelligent, reported enjoying more. shown be FLCA. In this case, full 22.5% FCLA Therefore, lower scores linked higher levels Less gritty EFL scored on TEI, which consequently determined Data two open-ended questions revealed particularly enjoyable or anxiety-provoking episodes during ERT similar among all learners. While positive group dynamics, teachers’ forgiving nature easy-going disposition, humor well innovative use technology mentioned common factors boosting speaking front strangers, overwhelming workload technology-related aspects frequently sources anxiety.