ACADEMIC GRIT AND SPEAKING SKILLS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

Abstract This study examined the levels of academic grit and speaking skills of Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English students and determined the relationship between these variables using a mixed-methods design. Data were collected from 117 English majors at the College of Teacher Education, Cagayan State University–Aparri through a validated researcher-made questionnaire, supplemented by qualitative insights. Results indicated that sex, ethnicity, availability of learning materials at home, exposure to speaking activities, and general weighted average were significantly related to students’ speaking skills. Additionally, exposure to speaking activities and English academic performance were significantly associated with academic grit. A significant positive relationship was found between academic grit and speaking skills, suggesting that students with higher levels of perseverance and sustained effort tend to demonstrate stronger oral communication abilities. The findings highlight the importance of integrating grit-enhancing strategies and consistent speaking activities in English instruction to improve learners’ oral proficiency and overall academic performance.