Willingness to communicate in instructed second language acquisition : combining a macro- and micro-perspective / Anna Mystkowska-Wiertelak and Mirosaw Pawlak.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mystkowska-Wiertelak, Anna, author.

Pawlak, Mirosław, author.

Series:

Second language acquisition (Clevedon, England) ; 110.

Second language acquisition ; 110

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Language and languages--Study and teaching.

Language and languages.

Communicative competence--Study and teaching.

Communicative competence.

Intercultural communication--Study and teaching.

Intercultural communication.

Second language acquisition.

Language and culture.

Physical Description:

xviii, 231 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Bristol ; Tonawanda, NY ; North York, Ontario : Multilingual Matters, [2017]

Summary:

This book offers a comprehensive account of individual differences variables as well as contextual Factors that impinge on second language learners' willingness to communicate (WTC). Firstly, it adopts a macro-perspective on WTC, which entails an attempt to identify variables that are related to WTC, taking into account the specificity of the Polish higher education setting. Secondly, it embraces a micro-perspective on WTC, striving to pinpoint the individual and contextual influences on levels of WTC in the course of regularly-scheduled, naturally-occurring English classes, as well as to capture the dynamic nature of WTC during such classes. Together, these perspectives bring the reader closer to understanding the mechanisms underlying WTC in specific contexts, thereby providing a basis for recommendations for classroom practice that could translate into learners' success. It will be of interest to second language acquisition researchers and students, as well as to methodologists and materials writers who can use the research findings to improve the practice of teaching and learning speaking in the language classroom. Book jacket.

Contents:

Part 1 Overview of Theoretical, Methodological and Empirical Issues 1

1 WTC: Definitions and Evolution of the Concept 3

Exploration of L1 WTC 3

The Study of L2 WTC 5

The heuristic model 6

A cultural perspective on L2 WTC 9

Conclusion 10

2 Methodology of Empirical Investigations into L2 WTC 11

Quantitative Research of L2 WTC 11

Early research into WTC 12

Situational and Dynamic WTC: A Shift from Quantitative to Mixed-Methods Research 21

Conclusion 34

3 Empirical Investigations of L2 WTC Antecedents 36

Self-Perceived Communicative Competence and Anxiety 37

WTC and Motivation 41

Age and Gender 50

Personality 52

Contextual Factors Influencing L2 WTC 54

Conclusion 71

Part 2 Exploring WTC in a Foreign Language Context: A Macro-Perspective 73

4 The Rationale for and Design of the Study 75

The Rationale for Applying a Macro-Perspective in the Study of WTC 75

Aims and Research Questions 78

Participants 78

Data Collection and Analysis 80

The development of the original tool 80

The study proper 85

Conclusion 87

5 Findings of the Study 88

The First Stage of the Study: A Six-Factor Model 88

The Second Stage of the Study: An Eight-Factor Model 92

The Role of Specific Factors in Shaping WTC 96

Conclusion 102

6 Discussion of the Findings 104

What Are the Components and Correlates of WTC in a Second Language in the Case of English Majors in Polish Institutions of Higher Education? 104

What Are the Relationships Between these Components and Correlates of WTC? 107

What is the Role of the Identified Factors as well as Specific Variables they Comprise in the Identified Structure of WTC? 110

Weaknesses of the Study 112

Conclusion 114

Part 3 Investigating WTC in the Course of Speaking Classes: A Micro-Perspective 117

7 The Rationale for and Design of the Study 119

The Rationale for Adopting a Micro Perspective in the Study of WTC 119

Aims and Research Questions 123

Participants 124

Description of the Speaking Classes Investigated 126

Data Collection 129

WTC grid 129

Questionnaire 131

Lesson plans 131

Data Analysis 132

Conclusion 133

8 Findings of the Study 135

Variation in WTC Levels Across Groups 135

Group 1 Variation in WTC Levels and Factors Responsible For It 138

Variation over time, within the whole group 138

Variation over time, within individuals 141

Factors impacting WTC in the eyes of the students 143

Group 2 Variation in WTC Levels and Factors Responsible For It 146

Variation over time, within the whole group 146

Variation over time, within individuals 150

Factors impacting WTC in the eyes of the students 153

Group 3 Variation in WTC Levels and Factors Responsible For It 156

Variation over time, within the whole group 156

Variation over time, within individuals 161

Factors impacting WTC in the eyes of the students 164

Conclusion 168

9 Discussion of the Findings 169

Research Question 1 To What Extent is the Participants' WTC Subject to Change in the Course of the Naturally Occurring Speaking Classes Investigated for the Purpose of this Study? 169

Research Question 2 Are There any Typical Patterns in Fluctuations of the Students' WTC during the Speaking Classes under Investigation, Both with Respect to Factors Identified in the Previous Research? 170

Research Question 3 Which Contextual and Individual Factors Lead to an Increase and Decrease in WTC in the Course of the Speaking Classes under Study? 172

Research Question 4 What is the Extent of Individual Variation During the Speaking Classes and What Factors Can Account for its Occurrence? 181

Research Question 5 Are There Differences with Respect to the Above Between the Three Speaking Classes Chosen for Investigation in this Study? 182

Limitations 183

Conclusion 185.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

9781783097166

1783097167

9781783097173

1783097175

9781783097180

1783097183

9781783097197

1783097191

OCLC:

959041112