ESQ in L2 Willingness to Communicate and Communicative Ability

Abstract

ndividuals are not always willing to communicate in L2 due to different factors. Given the essential role of effective communication in all aspects of life and the vital role of communicative ability in successful communication, this study investigated the role of emo-sensory intelligence (ESQ) in L2 willingness to communicate (L2WTC) and the communicative ability (COA) of Iranian EFL learners. Towards this end, 220 EFL learners took the ESQ and L2WTC scales. Moreover, their last language achievement scores were regarded for the assessment of their COA. The results of the correlational analyses showed that all the sub-constructs of ESQ are significantly correlated with the sub-constructs of L2WTC. Moreover, a significant relationship was found between COA and ESQ''s visual and auditory sub-constructs. There was also a positive correlation between COA and all the sub-constructs of L2WTC. Furthermore, structural equation modeling (SEM) results revealed that while ESQ does not directly predict the students’ COA, mediated by L2WTC, it is a positive predictor of COA. These findings suggest that improving ESQ can positively affect L2 WTC, leading to improved communicative ability in Iranian EFL learners.