Modeling the contribution of resilience, well-being, and L2 grit to foreign language teaching enjoyment among Iranian English language teachers

With the flourishing of positive psychology (PP) in foreign and second language teaching research, interest has grown in a range of positive psychological variables including the new concept of foreign language teaching enjoyment (FLTE) that mirrors that of learners' Foreign Language Enjoyment (FLE). The present study investigates how positive psychological and personality-based variables like resilience, well-being, and L2 grit shape the FLTE of 450 Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers. The participants completed four electronic surveys, and the collected data were analyzed through Mplus. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that EFL teachers’ resilience, well-being, and L2 grit significantly influenced their FLTE. In addition, teacher L2 grit was the strongest predictor of FLTE among Iranian EFL teachers. It thus seems that gritty, resilient, and happy teachers are more likely to enjoy the teaching experience in the classroom. Finally, implications and suggestions for future research are offered. •Resilience, well-being, and L2 grit significantly influence EFL teachers' FLTE.•L2 grit can be a strong predictor of FLTE among EFL teachers.•Gritty and resilient language teachers are more likely to enjoy the teaching experience.•Positive work environment can facilitate EFL teachers' psychological growth.