Willingness to communicate is an individual’s predisposition or readiness to initiate discourse with particular interlocutors in a given communicative situation, rather than merely responding when communication is required ^[1]. In language and linguistics, especially second-language research, WTC denotes the immediate, situation-dependent readiness to use the target language with a specific person or group at a particular time; it arises from the interaction of relatively stable personal dispositions, such as communicative self-confidence, and situational influences, including perceived linguistic competence, anxiety, interpersonal relationships, and the communicative context ^[2][3]. It is therefore distinct from actual communication frequency or linguistic proficiency: proficiency concerns the capacity to use a language, whereas WTC concerns the volitional inclination to engage in communication when opportunities are available ^[2][3].