Willingness to Communicate in Instructed Second Language Acquisition

This book investigates individual differences variables as well as contextual factors that impinge on second language learners’ willingness to communicate (WTC). It combines a macro- and micro-perspective to bring the reader closer to understanding the mechanisms underlying WTC in specific contexts.

Anna Mystkowska-Wiertelak is Assistant Professor at the Department of English Studies of the Faculty of Pedagogy and Fine Arts of Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań/Kalisz, Poland as well as Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Modern Languages of the State University of Applied Sciences in Konin, Poland. Her main interests comprise, apart from teacher education, second language acquisition theory and research, language learning strategies, learner autonomy, form-focused instruction, willingness to communicate, and motivation. Her recent publications include Production-oriented and Comprehension-based Grammar Teaching in the Foreign Language Classroom (with Mirosław Pawlak, Springer, 2012) and Willingness to Communicate in Instructed Second Language Acquisition (with Mirosław Pawlak, Multilingual Matters, 2017). Anna Mystkowska-Wiertelak is Assistant to the Editor of the journal Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching (www.ssllt.amu.edu.pl).

Mirosław Pawlak received his doctoral and post-doctoral degrees as well as his full professorship from Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland. His main areas of interest are SLA theory and research, form-focused instruction, corrective feedback, classroom discourse, learner autonomy, learning strategies, grammar learning strategies, motivation, willingness to communicate and pronunciation teaching. His recent publications include Production-oriented and comprehension-based grammar teaching in the foreign language classroom (with Anna Mystkowska-Wiertelak, Springer, 2012), Error correction in the foreign language classroom: Reconsidering the issues (Springer, 2014), Applying Cognitive Grammar in the foreign language classroom: Teaching English tense and aspect (with Jakub Bielak, Springer, 2013), Willingness to communicate in instructed second language acquisition (with Anna Mystkowska-Wiertelak, Multilingual Matters, 2017), as well as several edited collections. Mirosław Pawlak is Editor of the journals Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching (www.ssllt.amu.edu.pl), Konin Language Studies (http://www.ksj.pwsz.konin.edu.pl/?lang=en), and the book series Second Language Learning and Teaching (http://www.springer.com/series/10129).

Anna Mystkowska-Wiertelak is Assistant Professor at Adam Mickiewicz University in Kalisz, Poland and at the State University of Applied Sciences in Konin, Poland. Her research interests include individual differences, motivation, willingness to communicate and language learning strategies.

Mirosław Pawlak is Professor at Adam Mickiewicz University in Kalisz, Poland and at the State University of Applied Sciences in Konin, Poland. His research interests include form-focused instruction, corrective feedback, individual learner differences and language learning strategies.

Because willingness to communicate is such an integral component of language acquisition, I am mystified that a book dedicated exclusively to this topic has not graced the shelves of applied linguists before this! Kudos to Mystkowska-Wiertelak and Pawlak for presenting WTC in its complexity by theoretically situating and experimentally contextualizing it in this outstanding volume. It is only through communication and interaction that we can enter into the relationships that make us thrive!

This is an engaging, data-rich and well-crafted study of Polish students’ willingness to communicate in English. The integration of macro and micro perspectives enables its in-depth portrayal of the trait-like and situational features of WTC. With the revelation of nuanced changes in WTC in naturally-occurring classes, this book exemplifies a valuable dynamic perspective in L2 WTC research.