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Willingness to Communicate in the Second Language

Understanding the Decision to Speak as a Volitional Process

Bibliographic Data

ID23338192
AuthorsPeter D Macintyre (0000-0002-1085-6692, Cape Breton University, corresponding author)
Year2007
Volume91
Issue4
Pages564-576
Publication date2007-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueModern Language Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0026-7902 • E-ISSN: 1540-4781
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1540-4781.2007.00623.x
OpenAlexW2132229198
LanguageEN
Citations received149
References cited57

Previous research has devoted a great deal of attention to describing the long‐term patterns and relationships among trait‐level or situation‐specific variables. The present discussion extracts kernels of wisdom, based on the literatures on language anxiety and language learning motivation, that are used to frame the argument that choosing to initiate communication at a particular moment in time can be conceptualized as a volitional (freely chosen) process. The result is a degree of willingness to communicate (WTC) with the potential to rise and fall rapidly as the situation changes. Previous research based on both qualitative and quantitative methodologies is described that demonstrates the complexity of the processes involved in creating WTC. It is argued that methodologies must be adapted to focus upon the dynamic process of choosing to initiate or avoid second language communication when the opportunity arises.

Anxiety · Argument (complex analysis) · Cognitive psychology · Focus (optics) · Frame (networking) · Process (computing) · Trait · Willingness to communicate · Computer Science · EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Psychology · Second Language Learning and Teaching · Social Psychology

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Unique citing works149
Citations per year7,84
Citation span2007 - 2026 (20)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedYes
Citation typesNeutral: 129
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