Variables that Affect Language Learning: Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

There exist variables that impact foreign language learning, particularly, when achieving communicative competence. This study aims at determining if oral communication strategies and fear of negative evaluation have any statistically significant effects on willingness to communicative and in which way it does so. Through structural equation modeling, an ex post fact, non-experimental, cross-sectional and explanatory study was conducted on 843 university students. the Oral Communication Strategy Inventory (OCSI), the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FNE) and the Willingness to Communicate Questionnaire (WCQ) were employed to gather the data. Structural equation modeling (EEM) showed that fluency and accuracy-oriented strategies positively impact on willingness to communicate; socio-affective strategies negatively influence fear of negative evaluation (FNE), while message abandonment strategies positively influence FNE. Fear of negative assessment exerts a negative effect on willingness to communicate (WTC), which is a key factor in foreign language learning since it allows to achieve communicative competence and identify the variables that negatively and positively affect it.