Cultural Intelligence, Foreign Language Enjoyment, and Willingness to Communicate: Testing an Integrated Model of L2 Engagement

Zahra Salimi

Authors

Zahra Salimi Department of Translation Studies, Faculty of English Language, Allameh Tabataba'i University , Tehran, Iran https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1663-8873

Keywords:

Cultural intelligence, foreign language enjoyment, willingness to communicate, L2 engagement, EFL learners, structural equation modeling

Abstract

This study aimed to test an integrated model examining the direct effects of cultural intelligence and foreign language enjoyment on willingness to communicate in English and the mediating role of foreign language enjoyment in the relationship between cultural intelligence and willingness to communicate among EFL learners. A cross-sectional correlational design was employed among 412 adult EFL learners enrolled in private English language institutes in Tehran, Iran, during 2026. Participants completed the Cultural Intelligence Scale, the Short Form of the Foreign Language Enjoyment Scale, and the Willingness to Communicate in English Scale. The measurement properties of the instruments were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability, and average variance extracted. Pearson correlations were calculated to examine preliminary relationships among the variables. Structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation was then used to test the hypothesized direct and indirect relationships. The significance of the mediating effect was examined using bias-corrected bootstrapping with 5,000 resamples and 95% confidence intervals. The structural model demonstrated satisfactory fit, χ²(334) = 694.21, χ²/df = 2.08, CFI = .948, TLI = .941, RMSEA = .051, and SRMR = .049. Cultural intelligence significantly predicted foreign language enjoyment (β = .55, p < .001) and willingness to communicate (β = .30, p < .001). Foreign language enjoyment also significantly predicted willingness to communicate (β = .49, p < .001). The indirect effect of cultural intelligence on willingness to communicate through foreign language enjoyment was significant (β = .27, 95% CI [.19, .35], p < .001), indicating partial mediation. Cultural intelligence explained 30% of the variance in foreign language enjoyment, while cultural intelligence and enjoyment jointly explained 53% of the variance in willingness to communicate. Cultural intelligence appears to enhance L2 communicative engagement both directly and indirectly by fostering greater enjoyment of foreign language learning, highlighting the joint importance of intercultural capability and positive emotion in promoting willingness to communicate.

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