Growth Mindset in Vocabulary Learning from Reading in a Foreign Language Context

This research examines how growth mindset, including Commitment Belief, Positive Self-talk, and Age-sensitivity Beliefs, influence vocabulary acquisition, focusing on form, meaning, and use. Data were collected from 321 Chinese university students studying English as a Foreign Language (EFL). These students reported their growth mindset beliefs related to vocabulary learning through a questionnaire. The students participated in a reading activity, completed a survey on growth mindset, and took a post-reading vocabulary test assessing the form, meaning, and use of target words. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that while all three growth mindset components correlate positively with form and meaning, only Positive Self-talk has a significant effect on use. The results supported that a growth mindset facilitates vocabulary acquisition from reading. This study attempts to incorporate the notion of growth mindset into vocabulary acquisition, highlighting a need to foster EFL learners’ adaptive learning beliefs. Our findings extend to further research and provide practical implications for vocabulary instruction.