EFL Learners' VIA Character Strengths and Willingness to Communicate: A Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

                  Considering the theoretical framework of positive psychology, the present study looked at the relationship between the Values in Action Inventory (VIA) of character strengths and WTC among Iranian EFL learners. To this end, 300 upper-intermediate Iranian EFL learners were selected. Participants were given two questionnaires to assess their VIA characteristics and WTC. To analyse the data, the researchers used Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), which is a measure of the strength and direction of association that exists between the variables. The results of the quantitative phase showed that VIA characteristics have a relationship with WTC. Also, the results obtained in the qualitative phase of the study confirmed the results obtained in the quantitative phase of the study. The findings of this study can help language learners and different educational practitioners, such as school counsellors, language instructors, educational policymakers, and researchers, implement positive psychology tenets in their field.