scholarly journals Is Willingness to Communicate a Reliable Predictor of Learner Autonomy in an EFL Context?

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mohammadi ◽  
Ziba Mahdivand

The present quantitative study investigated the relationship between willingness to communicate (WTC) and learner autonomy in an EFL context. In addition, it explored the probable effect of gender on the relationship between learner autonomy and WTC. Furthermore, it investigated whether WTC could predict learner autonomy. The data were collected from 142 upper-intermediate and advanced EFL learners (72 males and 70 females) by means of two questionnaires, the  Learner Autonomy Questionnaire and the WTC Scale. The findings indicated that WTC correlated significantly and positively with learner autonomy. Moreover, correlational analysis revealed that gender modified this relationship in that the relationship between WTC and learner autonomy was stronger and more positive among female learners. The results revealed that WTC was a partial predictor of learner autonomy in this EFL context.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (S1-May) ◽  
pp. 104-116
Author(s):  
Muzaffer Barin ◽  
Aysel Eyerci

This study was designed with an aim to investigate the relationship between willingness to communicate (WTC) and learner autonomy (LA) in EFL settings at a Turkish university context. The primary purpose of the study was to reveal the possible statistically significant relationship between L2 WTC and learner autonomy of EFL learners in the classroom setting. The study was based on a mixed-methods research design. 211 students majoring at the Department of English Language and Literature of a state university in Turkey participated in the study. The instruments which were used to collect data were a willingness to communicate scale, a learner autonomy scale, and classroom observation. The results revealed that there was a moderate but significant relationship between EFL learners’ WTC and LA. The autonomy levels of the EFL learners had a predictive role in their L2 WTC. The difference between the self-reported L2 WTC and the behavioural L2 WTC of the Turkish EFL students was higher when the autonomy level of the students was lower. Based on the results, implications for enhancing L2 WTC of EFL learners are discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 1119
Author(s):  
Amir Marzban ◽  
Mojgan Firoozjahantigh

Two of the variables apparently contributing to the processes of EFL achievement are Willingness to Communicate (WTC) and Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLS). They seem to be fundamental among Iranian EFL learners due to the fact that semantics and its backbone—vocabulary—as well as the incentive or motivation, Willingness to Communicate (WTC)—influence the progress and improvement of the proficiency of Iranian EFL learners. Moreover, the review of literature clarifies the fact that few studies have tried to open up the relationship between these two variables, i.e. WTC and VLS. Hence, the present study explored the relationship between the WTC and VLS among Iranian EFL learners. Based on this, 137 intermediate Iranian EFL learners who were studying in a language institute in Tehran were selected as the participants of the study. They were asked to fill out two questionnaires including WTC and VLS. The finding indicated that there is a significant correlation between the two variables. The study provided some pedagogical implications for those who are concerned with language learning and teaching including language teachers, teacher trainers, syllabus designers, and EFL learners.


RELC Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Khany ◽  
Ali Mansouri Nejad

This study examines the relationship between L2 willingness to communicate (L2WTC), L2 unwillingness to communicate (L2UWTC) and the personality traits of openness to experience and extraversion in an Iranian context. The Pearson correlation and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the results from a study with 217 English major students. A model for L2WTC was proposed and examined by employing structural equation modelling (SEM). The results showed that openness to experience and extraversion were the main predictors of L2WTC. The paths from openness to experience and extraversion to L2UWTC were not significant. In addition, a negative path was found from L2UWTC to L2WTC. The proposed model proved to be a good fit to the data collected. The results provided implications for the applicability of the L2WTC model to the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context.


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