The Roles of Growth Language Mindset, Metacognitive Strategies, and Language Learning Self-Efficacy in Predicting L2 Willingness to Communicate: A Network Analysis and a Chain Mediation Model

While past research has affirmed the supportive role of growth language mindset (GLM) in fostering L2 willingness to communicate (L2 WTC), there remains a scarcity of studies exploring how growth language mindset may predict L2 WTC. This study aimed to investigate the impact of growth language mindset on L2 WTC while considering the chain mediating influences of metacognitive strategies and language learning self-efficacy (LLSE). Additionally, network analysis was used to examine the internal structure and connections between growth language mindset and L2 WTC. A total of 532 L2 learners (32.60% male; 67.40% female), aged between 17 and 25 years (<i>M</i> = 20.42 years; <i>SD</i> = 1.49 years), participated in an online survey to assess the variables of interest. The results revealed that growth language mindset has a positive predictive effect on L2 WTC, with specific items-GLM4 ("You can always change your L2 ability."), GLM1 ("No matter who you are, you can significantly change your language intelligence level."), and L2 WTC5 ("When you have an opportunity to explain in English your own culture to your classmates.")-emerging as key indicators. The relationship between GLM and L2 WTC was sequentially mediated by metacognitive strategies and LLSE. This chain mediation model explained 85% of the variance in L2 WTC, with LLSE (<i>β</i> = 0.61) demonstrating the largest practical impact. These findings suggest that fostering metacognitive strategies and enhancing LLSE can significantly amplify the impact of a GLM on L2 WTC, highlighting meaningful effects beyond mere statistical significance.