Exploring the Impact of Affective Factors on WTC in the Japanese CEFR A2 Context
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between affective variables and willingness to communicate (WTC) in English among Japanese EFL learners with an estimated CEFR A2 proficiency level. Drawing on a sample of 195 university students, the study examines the predictive power of L2 self-confidence, L2 anxiety, L2 motivation, grit, speaking self-efficacy (SSE), self-perceived communicative competence (SPCC), and communication apprehension (CA) across three communicative contexts: in-class, out-of-class, and digital. Regression analyses revealed that SSE, motivation, and SPCC were consistent predictors of WTC across all contexts, while CA and L2 anxiety showed context-specific effects. In contrast to previous studies involving intermediate-level learners, grit and general self-confidence did not significantly predict WTC in any model. These findings suggest that psychological readiness and perceived competence are more influential in shaping WTC than perseverance or general confidence, particularly among lower-proficiency learners. The study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of affective influences on WTC and offers implications for context-sensitive pedagogical interventions in EFL education.
Author: Robert Remmerswaal
Language: English
Subfield: Language and Linguistics
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7204353674