L2 grit: A structured approach to preliminary biblio-systematic review

Researchers have recently become intrigued by the examination of grit, a non-cognitive construct, and its involvement in the language learning process. This study synthesizes bibliometric and systematic review methodologies in an effort to chart the growth trajectory of research on L2 grit—an adoption specific to the language learning domain. To provide a preliminary understanding of its relevance and position within the field of SLA, this study zooms in on the so-far established features of L2 grit research, the recognition of grit from a domain-specific lens, and its relations to an array of L2 outcomes and associated variables. To this end, 51 SSCI-indexed research articles were sourced from the Web of Science database, covering a period from 2017 through 2022. The obtained findings and insights shed light on vibrant issues surrounding the measurement, dimensionality, associability, maturation, and merit of grit in language learning and research. Potential research voids are also spotlighted to navigate future exploration, and thus expand the comprehension of L2 grit.