Fueling the urge to speak: foreign language peace of mind as a mediator between L2 growth mindset and L2 willingness to communicate among Chinese EFL learners

This study investigates the relationships among L2 Growth Mindset (GM), Foreign Language Peace of Mind (FLPOM), and Willingness to Communicate (WTC) among Chinese EFL learners, with a particular focus on how cognitive beliefs and low-arousal positive emotions jointly influence learners' readiness to communicate. Methodology: Data were collected from 300 Chinese EFL learners using established scales. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and regression analysis were employed to examine the direct and mediated relationships among GM, FLPOM, and WTC. Findings and Originality: The results revealed that both GM and FLPOM significantly and positively predicted WTC, and GM also positively predicted FLPOM. Furthermore, FLPOM partially mediated the relationship between GM and WTC, indicating that learners with a stronger growth mindset tend to experience greater peace of mind, which in turn enhances their willingness to communicate. This study contributes to the literature by integrating cognitive and affective perspectives to explain L2 WTC, highlighting the role of a culturally nuanced, low-arousal positive emotion (FLPOM). It offers new insights into how fostering a growth mindset can indirectly promote communication through emotional pathways, with important implications for language teaching and learner development.