Ideal L2 Self and L2 Willingness to Communicate: A Moderated Mediation Model of Artificial Intelligence Literacy and Artificial Intelligence-Mediated Informal Digital Learning of English

Communication in a second language (L2) is a primary goal for language learners, and willingness to communicate (WTC) is the final step before engaging in actual communication. Therefore, WTC has garnered scholarly interest. While previous research has demonstrated associations between motivational factors and L2 WTC, the mediating and moderating roles of artificial intelligence (AI)-relevant mechanisms remain underexplored. Therefore, this study examines the interplay among ideal L2 self, L2 WTC, AI-mediated informal digital learning of English (AI-IDLE), and AI literacy (AIL) through a moderated mediation model. To this end, data were collected from 402 undergraduate English majors in Türkiye via an online survey comprising four scales and were analyzed through mediation and moderation analyses. The findings revealed that IL2S positively predicted L2 WTC, while AI-IDLE partially mediated this relationship. Moreover, AIL was found to moderate the effect of IL2S on AI-IDLE. Drawing on these results, crucial pedagogical implications are suggested for improving EFL learners’ L2 communication skills.