Student reticence and oral testing: A Hong Kong study of willingness to communicate

The concept of willingness to communicate (WTC) is established in the United States but less understood elsewhere. This study tests the appropriateness of WTC (McCroskey & Richmond, 1987) in Hong Kong against a background of an increased importance of oral tests which may disadvantage reticent students. The study concludes that the instrument is generally workable in Hong Kong. A preliminary WTC norm is established at 40–45. It also concludes that this norm is low compared to other nationality groups and expresses features that may define a Hong Kong style of oral communication, specifically, a disinclination for dyadic communication.