Reticence and Willingness to Communicate to Predict Daily Class Participation Among Iranian and Iraqi-Kurdistan Kurdish EFL Learners

Abstract

One of the most important factors influencing the participation of English language learners is the willingness to communicate and trying to reduce reticence. The purpose of this study was to predict daily class participation based on reticence and willingness to communicate. The sample for the current research was selected from the students of the English language department, College of Basic Education, the University of Halabja in Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and students of the English Language Department at the University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj in Iran and the sample number was 200 people. The data of the present study came from two questionnaires consisted of two scales measuring Reticence scale, and Willingness to Communicate (WTC) scale to measure students’ predisposition towards approaching or avoiding communication. According to the results of regression analysis, reticence can be a significant predictor of students' participation in daily classroom activities. Furthermore, the results indicated that the relationship between willingness to communicate and participation in class activities in both groups of boys and girls was statistically positive and significant. The results of regression analysis also revealed that willingness to communicate can significantly and positively predict students' participation in daily classroom activities.