Investigating the Validity and Reliability of WTC Construct In L2 Arabic: A Case Study


Muhamad Fahri(1*), Fajar Pinastia Arrahman(2), Azkia Muharom Albantani(3), Muhammad Rizal Mahfuzo(4), Muhamad Ihwanul Muslimin(5)

(1) UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Indonesia
(2) UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Indonesia
(3) UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Indonesia
(4) University of Michigan, United States
(5) UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Indonesia
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


The main goal of learning Arabic is to develop practical linguistic skills among learners centered around the concept of willingness to communicate (WTC). WTC refers to learners' strong desire and readiness to speak in specific contexts or situations. A critical challenge is how to accurately measure WTC in Arabic language learning using a valid and reliable instrument. Understanding WTC is crucial as it indicates learners' motivation to use Arabic, enhances their speaking proficiency, and creates a supportive linguistic environment. Research on WTC in Arabic language learning is currently limited, necessitating further exploration in this area. Consequently, this study aims to develop a valid and reliable WTC measurement instrument for Arabic language learners using a quantitative approach, incorporating both Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) methods. The participants for this research are 204 Arabic language learners, and a survey was utilized for data collection. The WTC instrument employed in this study is an adaptation of existing instruments, modified to align with the context of Arabic language learning and the specific conditions of Indonesian learners. The findings reveal that the WTC construct has yielded valid and reliable items that can be used to measure WTC among learners in Arabic language learning. Furthermore, there are three main dimensions within this construct, namely, the context of online, classroom, and offline. Thus, it is hoped that the WTC construct developed can be utilized to measure aspects of WTC among Arabic language learners, thereby enabling the determination of further steps in realizing linguistic behaviors

Keywords


Willingness to communicate; Learning Arabic as second language; Online communication; Instrument

Full Text:

PDF

References


Baghaei, P., & Dourakhshan, A. (2012). The Relationship between Willingness to Communicate and Success in Learning English as a Foreign Language. The Modern Journal of Applied Linguistics (MJAL), 4(2). 53-67. Retrieved from https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-relationship-between-willingness-to-communicate-Baghaei-Dourakhshan/dbcf4c3398e9490fe6bad7e516d5dfdf9f0c246b#extracted

Bonett, D. G., & Wright, T. A. (2015). Cronbach’s Alpha Reliability: Interval Estimation, Hypothesis Testing, and Sample Size Planning. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 36(1), 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.1960

Browne, M. W., & Cudeck, R. (1992). Alternative Ways of Assessing Model Fit. Sociological Methods & Research, 21(2), 230–258. https://doi.org/10.1177/0049124192021002005

Cao, Y. (2011). Investigating Situational Willingness to Communicate within Second Language Classrooms from an Ecological Perspective. System, 39(4), 468–479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2011.10.016

Cao, Y. K. (2014). A Sociocognitive Perspective on Second Language Classroom Willingness to Communicate. TESOL Quarterly, 48(4), 789–814. https://doi.org/10.1002/tesq.155

Elahi Shirvan, M., Khajavy, G. H., MacIntyre, P. D., & Taherian, T. (2019). A Meta-analysis of L2 Willingness to Communicate and Its Three High-Evidence Correlates. Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, 48(6), 1241–1267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10936-019-09656-9

Freiermuth, M., & Jarrell, D. (2006). Willingness to Communicate: Can Online Chat Help?. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 16(2), 189–212. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-4192.2006.00113.x

Jöreskog, K. G., Olsson, U. H., & Wallentin, F. Y. (2016). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). In K. G. Jöreskog, U. H. Olsson, & F. Y. Wallentin, Multivariate Analysis with LISREL (pp. 283–339). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33153-9_7

Kaiser, H. F. (1960). The Application of Electronic Computers to Factor Analysis. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 20(1), 141–151. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316446002000116

Kang, S.-J. (2005). Dynamic Emergence of Situational Willingness to Communicate in A Second Language. System, 33(2), 277–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2004.10.004

Kholis, M. N., Habibi, B. Y., Zaenuri, M., & Hasanah, L. Q. (2023). Willingness to Communicate (WTC) in Arabic for Students of State Islamic University. Alsinatuna, 9(1), 51–64. https://doi.org/10.28918/alsinatuna.v9i1.2206

Kline, R. B. (2016). Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling (4th ed.). The Guilford Press.

Lee, J. S., & Chen Hsieh, J. (2019). Affective Variables and Willingness to Communicate of EFL Learners in In-Class, Out-Of-Class, and Digital Contexts. System, 82, 63–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2019.03.002

Lee, J. S., & Drajati, N. A. (2020). Willingness to Communicate in Digital and Non-Digital EFL Contexts: Scale Development and Psychometric Testing. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 33(7), 688–707. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2019.1588330

Lee, J. S., & Lu, Y. (2023). L2 Motivational Self System and Willingness to Communicate in The Classroom and Extramural Digital Contexts. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 36(1–2), 126–148. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2021.1901746

MacCallum, R. C., Widaman, K. F., Preacher, K. J., & Hong, S. (2001). Sample Size in Factor Analysis: The Role of Model Error. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 36(4), 611–637. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327906MBR3604_06

Macintyre, P. D., Clément, R., Dörnyei, Z., & Noels, K. A. (1998). Conceptualizing Willingness to Communicate in a L2: A Situational Model of L2 Confidence and Affiliation. The Modern Language Journal, 82(4), 545–562. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1998.tb05543.x

Mahmoodi, M.-H., & Moazam, I. (2014). Willingness to Communicate (WTC) and L2 Achievement: The Case of Arabic Language Learners. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 98, 1069–1076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.03.518

McCroskey, J. C., & Baer, J. E. (1985). Willingness to Communicate: The Construct and its Measurement. Paper Presented at the Annual Convention of the Speech Communication Association. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED265604.pdf

Peng, J.-E. (2012). Towards an Ecological Understanding of Willingness to Communicate in EFL Classrooms in China. System, 40(2), 203–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2012.02.002

Sürücü, L., Yikilmaz, İ., & Maslakçi, A. (2022). Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) in Quantitative Researches and Practical Considerations. World Peace University. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/fgd4e

Taber, K. S. (2018). The Use of Cronbach’s Alpha When Developing and Reporting Research Instruments in Science Education. Research in Science Education, 48(6), 1273–1296. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-016-9602-2

Umar, J., & Nisa, Y. F. (2020). Uji Validitas Konstruk dengan CFA dan Pelaporannya. Jurnal Pengukuran Psikologi dan Pendidikan Indonesia (JP3I), 9(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.15408/jp3i.v9i2.16964

Watkins, M. W. (2018). Exploratory Factor Analysis: A Guide to Best Practice. Journal of Black Psychology, 44(3), 219–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095798418771807

Xia, Y., & Yang, Y. (2019). RMSEA, CFI, and TLI in structural Equation Modeling with Ordered Categorical Data: the Story They Tell Depends on the Estimation Methods. Behavior Research Methods, 51(1), 409–428. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-018-1055-2

Zarrinabadi, N. (2014). Communicating in a Second Language: Investigating the Effect of Teacher on Learners’ Willingness to Communicate. System, 42, 288–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2013.12.014

Zarrinabadi, N., & Tanbakooei, N. (2016). Willingness to Communicate: Rise, Development, and Some Future Directions. Language and Linguistics Compass, 10(1), 30–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/lnc3.12176




DOI: https://doi.org/10.15575/jpba.v8i1.35023

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

EDITORIAL OFFICE

Ta'lim al-'Arabiyyah: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Arab dan Kebahasaaraban

Jl. Soekarno-Hatta Kampus 2 UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, Gedung Fakultas Tarbiyah dan Keguruan, Kantor Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa Arab

Ta'lim al-'Arabiyyah: P-ISSN (2549-208X)- E-ISSN (2721-5237)

Email : jta.pba@uinsgd.ac.id



This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

JOURNAL HAS BEEN INDEXED BY:

 Crossref logo   Road Logo