Interest and perseverance influence school students' English performance

This study aims to analyze primary school students' perceptions of learning interest and perseverance, and the relationship between these two factors and English performance. The study utilised a quantitative research design involving 240 students from three primary schools consisting of SDN Negeri 1 Tuk, SDN Negeri 1 Kedung Jaya and SDN Negeri 1 Kedung Dawa, Indonesia. Data were collected through a standardised questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistical tests, validity and reliability tests, and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that learning interest and perseverance both have a positive and significant correlation with students' English performance, with perseverance exerting a greater influence. Regression analysis revealed that perseverance was the strongest predictor of English performance compared to interest in learning. This finding confirms the importance of psychological factors in supporting successful language learning at the primary level, and provides implications for teachers to pay attention to students' affective aspects to sustainably improve English learning outcomes.