Willingness to Communicate in Instructed Second Language Acquisition: Combining a Macro- and Micro-Perspective

Anna Mystkowska-Wiertelak; Mirosław Pawlak

Published by Multilingual Matters 2017

Willingness to Communicate in Instructed Second Language Acquisition

Combining a Macro- and Micro-Perspective

Anna Mystkowska-Wiertelak and Mirosław Pawlak

In the series Second Language Acquisition

https://doi.org/10.21832/9781783097173

Overview
Contents

About this book

This book investigates individual differences variables as well as contextual factors that impinge on second language learners’ willingness to communicate (WTC). It combines a macro- and micro-perspective to bring the reader closer to understanding the mechanisms underlying WTC in specific contexts.

Author / Editor information

Mystkowska-Wiertelak Anna :

Anna Mystkowska-Wiertelak is Assistant Professor at the Department of English Studies of the Faculty of Pedagogy and Fine Arts of Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań/Kalisz, Poland as well as Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Modern Languages of the State University of Applied Sciences in Konin, Poland. Her main interests comprise, apart from teacher education, second language acquisition theory and research, language learning strategies, learner autonomy, form-focused instruction, willingness to communicate, and motivation. Her recent publications include Production-oriented and Comprehension-based Grammar Teaching in the Foreign Language Classroom (with Mirosław Pawlak, Springer, 2012) and Willingness to Communicate in Instructed Second Language Acquisition (with Mirosław Pawlak, Multilingual Matters, 2017). Anna Mystkowska-Wiertelak is Assistant to the Editor of the journal Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching (www.ssllt.amu.edu.pl).

Pawlak Mirosław :

Mirosław Pawlak received his doctoral and post-doctoral degrees as well as his full professorship from Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland. His main areas of interest are SLA theory and research, form-focused instruction, corrective feedback, classroom discourse, learner autonomy, learning strategies, grammar learning strategies, motivation, willingness to communicate and pronunciation teaching. His recent publications include Production-oriented and comprehension-based grammar teaching in the foreign language classroom (with Anna Mystkowska-Wiertelak, Springer, 2012), Error correction in the foreign language classroom: Reconsidering the issues (Springer, 2014), Applying Cognitive Grammar in the foreign language classroom: Teaching English tense and aspect (with Jakub Bielak, Springer, 2013), Willingness to communicate in instructed second language acquisition (with Anna Mystkowska-Wiertelak, Multilingual Matters, 2017), as well as several edited collections. Mirosław Pawlak is Editor of the journals Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching (www.ssllt.amu.edu.pl), Konin Language Studies (http://www.ksj.pwsz.konin.edu.pl/?lang=en), and the book series Second Language Learning and Teaching (http://www.springer.com/series/10129).

Anna Mystkowska-Wiertelak is Assistant Professor at Adam Mickiewicz University in Kalisz, Poland and at the State University of Applied Sciences in Konin, Poland. Her research interests include individual differences, motivation, willingness to communicate and language learning strategies.

Mirosław Pawlak is Professor at Adam Mickiewicz University in Kalisz, Poland and at the State University of Applied Sciences in Konin, Poland. His research interests include form-focused instruction, corrective feedback, individual learner differences and language learning strategies.

Reviews

Mystkowska-Wiertelak and Pawlak put an important spin on a classic theme, willingness to communicate. Part One, a theoretical-methodological-empirical overview, is a powerhouse, well worth reading even by itself. Part Two reports a very large WTC macro-factors study, while Part Three traces more detailed WTC fluctuations and influences in three classes. Exceptional and exciting!

Because willingness to communicate is such an integral component of language acquisition, I am mystified that a book dedicated exclusively to this topic has not graced the shelves of applied linguists before this! Kudos to Mystkowska-Wiertelak and Pawlak for presenting WTC in its complexity by theoretically situating and experimentally contextualizing it in this outstanding volume. It is only through communication and interaction that we can enter into the relationships that make us thrive!

This is an engaging, data-rich and well-crafted study of Polish students’ willingness to communicate in English. The integration of macro and micro perspectives enables its in-depth portrayal of the trait-like and situational features of WTC. With the revelation of nuanced changes in WTC in naturally-occurring classes, this book exemplifies a valuable dynamic perspective in L2 WTC research.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Introduction Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Part 1: Overview of Theoretical, Methodological and Empirical Issues
1. WTC: Definitions and Evolution of the Concept Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. Methodology of Empirical Investigations into L2 WTC Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	11
3. Empirical Investigations of L2 WTC Antecedents Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	36
Part 2: Exploring WTC in a Foreign Language Context: A Macro-Perspective
4. The Rationale for and Design of the Study Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	73
5. Findings of the Study Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	88
6. Discussion of the Findings Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	104
Part 3: Investigating WTC in the Course of Speaking Classes: A Micro-Perspective
7. The Rationale for and Design of the Study Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	117
8. Findings of the Study The Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	135
9. Discussion of the Findings Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	169
Conclusions, Implications and Directions for Future Research Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	187
Appendix 1 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	192
Appendix 2 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	197
Appendix 3: WTC Inventory Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	201
Appendix 4: Factor Loadings – EFA 1 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	204
Appendix 5: Factor Loadings EFA 2 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	208
Appendix 6: WTC Grid Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	211
Appendix 7: Class Questionnaire Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	213
References Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	216
Author Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	228
Subject Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	230