A Serial Mediation Analysis of the Effect of Growth Mindset and Self-Confidence on Willingness to Communicate Among Chinese as a Second Language Learners
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1511.18Keywords:
perseverance of effort, growth mindset, L2 self-confidence, L2 willingness to communicateAbstract
Willingness to communicate (WTC) in a second language (L2) is influenced by individual factors. This study explores the effects of positive psychology variables—perseverance of effort, growth mindset, and L2 self-confidence—on WTC. The study examined L2-WTC among 364 international students learning Chinese as a second language in China. A hypothesized model involving perseverance of effort, L2 self-confidence, growth mindset, and L2-WTC was tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with Smart PLS 4.0. The findings reveal a serial mediation model, in which L2 self-confidence, influenced by perseverance of effort, enhances growth mindset, which in turn leads to greater willingness to communicate. The data show that perseverance of effort directly predicts willingness to communicate. Furthermore, perseverance of effort was significantly associated with willingness to communicate through the mediating effect of L2 self-confidence. The study provides support for the serial mediation roles of L2 self-confidence and growth mindset in facilitating willingness to communicate.
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