A structural relationship model for resilience, L2 learning motivation, and L2 proficiency at different proficiency levels

As L2 motivation and resilience have been found to play a critical role in second language learning, this study takes the initiative to investigate and verify the structural relationship between resilience, L2 learning motivation and L2 proficiency at beginner, intermediate and advanced level. To collect the data, the participants (N = 132 EFL learners) were administered a placement test and two questionnaires to rate their level of proficiency, resilience and L2 motivation, respectively. The results of Structural Equation Modeling analysis (SEM) revealed that L2 proficiency was directly influenced only by the beginners’ L2 motivation. It was found that the intermediate learners’ L2 proficiency was directly influenced by both L2 motivation and resilience. Conversely, the results indicated that the advanced students’ L2 proficiency was directly impacted only by resilience. In addition, the study determined that L2 motivation has a significant indirect impact on L2 proficiency through resilience only at the advanced level. More generally, L2 proficiency was shown to be directly predictable by both L2 motivation and resilience, and L2 motivation was revealed to have significant direct and indirect effects on L2 proficiency.