Inter- Relationship between Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners’ Intrinsic Motivation, their Willingness to Communicate and their Level of Depression: A Case of Khorasan Razavi

ABSTRACT This study examined inter-relationship among willingness to communicate, intrinsic motivation, and level of depression has not been investigated. Through a quantitative and applied study ۳۵۷ Iranian EFL learners from Khorasan Razavi were examined by three standard questionnaires: Willingness to Communicate in a Foreign Language Scale’ by Baghaei et al., (۲۰۱۲), intrinsic motivation inventory (IMI) Ryan and Deci (۲۰۰۰), and The Beck Depression Inventory (۲۰۱۵). Results of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test showed normal distribution of scores and non-parametrical pattern of the study in which required analysis using spearman test. Results of correlation coefficient for the research questions showed that there is a significant relationship between willingness to communicate, intrinsic motivation, and level of depression so that relationships among willingness to communicate and intrinsic motivation with depression level were bidirectional. It implies that to avoid students’ depression in language learning environments they should be encouraged into communicative activities and their intrinsic motivation needs reinforcement.

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KEYWORDS: EFL learners , intrinsic motivation , level of depression , Willingness to communicate