Interrelationship Among Variables Affecting Omani Students’ Willingness to Communicate in English

The study elaborates on MacIntyre et al.’s (۱۹۹۸) model of willingness to communicate (WTC) in an L۲ by examining the impact of cultural context on shaping the interrelationship among variables affecting Omani students L۲ WTC. In developing this mixed-design research, students (n = ۲۰۴) first answered a questionnaire measuring their perceptions of the effect of various variables on their L۲ WTC. Student volunteers (n = ۱۳) were, then, invited to follow-up interviews to collect the qualitative data. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilized to examine a hypothesized model that integrated communication and affective constructs. SEM analysis of the model showed a good fit of the data. Self-perceived communication competence (SPCC) was the most potent variable influencing L۲ WTC. However, communication anxiety positively correlated with L۲ WTC, whereas motivation was indirect to L۲ WTC through SPCC. Accordingly, this study adds meaningful sociocultural insights to previous work on L۲ WTC.

Keywords:

Arab Culture , EFL Learning , motivation , Omani EFL Learners , Willingness to Communicate