Metacognitive Strategies and Willingness to Communicate in L2 Learning: A Mediation Model of Self-Efficacy and Intrinsic Motivation

In the sphere of second or foreign language (L2) pedagogy, empirical evidence has increasingly spotlighted the role of learners’ metacognitive strategies as formidable predictors of their willingness to engage in L2 communication (WTC). Nonetheless, the interrelationship among learners’ metacognitiv...

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Main Authors: Mao Zhao, Ting Li, Yating Yu, Kuen Fung Sin, En Zheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-05-01
Series:SAGE Open
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251340830
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author Mao Zhao
Ting Li
Yating Yu
Kuen Fung Sin
En Zheng
author_facet Mao Zhao
Ting Li
Yating Yu
Kuen Fung Sin
En Zheng
author_sort Mao Zhao
collection DOAJ
description In the sphere of second or foreign language (L2) pedagogy, empirical evidence has increasingly spotlighted the role of learners’ metacognitive strategies as formidable predictors of their willingness to engage in L2 communication (WTC). Nonetheless, the interrelationship among learners’ metacognitive strategies, self-efficacy, and intrinsic motivation—as a collective force influencing WTC—has not been adequately probed. Addressing this gap, the present research determines the mediating roles of L2 self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation in bridging metacognitive strategies with WTC. The research cohort consisted of undergraduates majoring in English at leading national universities in China, with a comprehensive survey conducted among 316 respondents. The analysis unveiled two pivotal findings: (1) there exists a significant predictive relationship between students’ metacognitive strategies and their WTC in L2, and (2) students’ self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation in the L2 context mediate this relationship. This study emphasizes the importance of metacognitive strategies, self-efficacy, and intrinsic motivation in promoting L2 communication. The significance and directions for future studies are also discussed.
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spelling doaj-art-8ff6e60f7ee542aba41fd42326749cfd2025-08-20T03:32:04ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open2158-24402025-05-011510.1177/21582440251340830Metacognitive Strategies and Willingness to Communicate in L2 Learning: A Mediation Model of Self-Efficacy and Intrinsic MotivationMao Zhao0Ting Li1Yating Yu2Kuen Fung Sin3En Zheng4Chengdu Normal University, Sichuan, ChinaThe National University of Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, MalaysiaUniversity of Macau, Taipa, ChinaThe Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong KongTsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaIn the sphere of second or foreign language (L2) pedagogy, empirical evidence has increasingly spotlighted the role of learners’ metacognitive strategies as formidable predictors of their willingness to engage in L2 communication (WTC). Nonetheless, the interrelationship among learners’ metacognitive strategies, self-efficacy, and intrinsic motivation—as a collective force influencing WTC—has not been adequately probed. Addressing this gap, the present research determines the mediating roles of L2 self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation in bridging metacognitive strategies with WTC. The research cohort consisted of undergraduates majoring in English at leading national universities in China, with a comprehensive survey conducted among 316 respondents. The analysis unveiled two pivotal findings: (1) there exists a significant predictive relationship between students’ metacognitive strategies and their WTC in L2, and (2) students’ self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation in the L2 context mediate this relationship. This study emphasizes the importance of metacognitive strategies, self-efficacy, and intrinsic motivation in promoting L2 communication. The significance and directions for future studies are also discussed.https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251340830
spellingShingle Mao Zhao
Ting Li
Yating Yu
Kuen Fung Sin
En Zheng
Metacognitive Strategies and Willingness to Communicate in L2 Learning: A Mediation Model of Self-Efficacy and Intrinsic Motivation
SAGE Open
title Metacognitive Strategies and Willingness to Communicate in L2 Learning: A Mediation Model of Self-Efficacy and Intrinsic Motivation
title_full Metacognitive Strategies and Willingness to Communicate in L2 Learning: A Mediation Model of Self-Efficacy and Intrinsic Motivation
title_fullStr Metacognitive Strategies and Willingness to Communicate in L2 Learning: A Mediation Model of Self-Efficacy and Intrinsic Motivation
title_full_unstemmed Metacognitive Strategies and Willingness to Communicate in L2 Learning: A Mediation Model of Self-Efficacy and Intrinsic Motivation
title_short Metacognitive Strategies and Willingness to Communicate in L2 Learning: A Mediation Model of Self-Efficacy and Intrinsic Motivation
title_sort metacognitive strategies and willingness to communicate in l2 learning a mediation model of self efficacy and intrinsic motivation
url https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251340830
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