Willingness to communicate and action control

• Published in: System (Linköping) Vol. 38; no. 2; pp. 161 - 171
• Main Authors: MacIntyre, Peter D., Doucette, Jesslyn
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Action control; Anxiety; Communication (Thought Transfer); Hesitation; Interpersonal Communication; Language anxiety; Learning Theories; Path Analysis; Perceived competence; Preoccupation; Second Language Instruction; Second Language Learning; Second Languages; Self Efficacy; Student Attitudes; Student Characteristics; Student Motivation; Volatility; Willingness to communicate; Perceived competence; Volatility; Action control; Hesitation; Language anxiety; Willingness to communicate; Preoccupation
• ISSN: 0346-251X; 1879-3282
• DOI: 10.1016/j.system.2009.12.013

Being willing to communicate is part of becoming fluent in a second language, which often is the ultimate goal of L2 learners. Julius Kuhl's theory of action control is introduced as an expansion of the conceptual framework for the study of Willingness to Communicate. Kuhl proposed three key concepts, preoccupation, volatility, and hesitation, which form part of the base from which WTC in the second language is built. In essence, we propose that a lack of WTC inside and outside the language classroom is related to tendencies for a disruption in action control. Using path analysis, we find support for the proposed model that also integrates perceived competence and communication anxiety. Implications for the trait and dynamic conceptions of WTC are discussed.