Associations between language learners` spiritual intelligence, foreign language attitude and achievement motivation

A structural equation approach

Abstract

The present study examines the relationships between language learners`
Spiritual Intelligence, Achievement Motivation and Foreign Language
Attitude. The sample consists of 223 Iranian advanced English language
learners. The data were collected by use of Spiritual Intelligence Self-report
Inventory, Foreign Language Attitude Scale and Achievement Motivation
Questionnaire. Two hypothetical models were proposed for mediation analysis
by means of structural equation modeling. The results revealed that foreign
language attitude mediates the causal correlations between Spiritual
Intelligence and Achievement Motivation. For the second model, however, the
intervening effect of Achievement Motivation on the causal paths from
Spiritual Intelligence to Foreign Language Attitude was not supported based
on the analysis of effects. The results provide new insights and can pave the
way for further investigation of the associations between Spiritual Intelligence
and other individual differences of language learners.