Personality, attitudes, and affect as predictors of second language communication

Abstract

Numerous studies have established the importance of affective variables, such as attitudes, motivation, perceived competence, and anxiety, in predicting success in second language learning and communication. Path analysis was used to investigate the relations among these variables, to examine their impact on the frequency of second language communication and to examine the role of global personality traits. Significant paths affecting the frequency of communication were found, from willingness to communicate in the second language (L2), language learning motivation, perceived L2 communicative competence, and the opportunity for contact with L2 speakers. Further results demonstrate that global personality traits and language-related affective variables (such as attitudes and anxiety) set the psychological context for second language communication. These results are interpreted in terms of models of second language learning and communication.