The Relationship between Saudi Cadets’ Willingness to Communicate and Their English Language Proficiency

Abstract

This study examines a group of Saudi military cadets studying English as a foreign language and their willingness to communicate (WTC) using English. The study investigated the relationship between the cadets’ WTC using English and their English vocabulary size, along with the cadets’ perceived English competence. In addition, the study looked at the relationship between the Saudi military cadets’ WTC using English and their L2 anxiety. A survey was designed for and administered to 113 Saudi military cadets with an average age of 20 years old. Correlation and regression analyses revealed an association between the Saudi cadets’ WTC in L2 and the size of their English vocabulary. Furthermore, the study found a strong linear relationship between the students’ perception of their competence in English and their WTC in L2. However, the analysis showed a negative relationship between the Saudi cadets’ WTC using English and their L2 anxiety.