NIDA Journal of Language and Communication

Critical intercultural and English language issues in the internationalisation of higher education

Saksit Saengboon — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Applying the Theories of Planned Behavior and Self-Determination to Predict Willingness to Communicate

John David Peebles, Chomraj Patanasorn — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

The importance of effective verbal communication in human society cannot be overstated; it is not just a basic human need but is also fundamental to an individual’s agency and identity. Accordingly, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) were applied to identify factors influencing willingness to communicate (WTC) among English as a foreign language (EFL) learners at a secondary school in Northeastern Thailand. A mixed-methods approach was employed with 113 participants from both lower and upper secondary levels. Likert scale questionnaires were administered to quantitatively assess the effects of the constructs from TPB and SDT on WTC, while focus group discussions provided qualitative depth. Statistical analysis revealed that subjective norms and perceived behavioral control significantly predicted WTC, with competence also showing a strong positive correlation. Conversely, extrinsic motivation was negatively associated with WTC, suggesting that reliance on external rewards may reduce communication willingness. This model explained 75% of the variance in WTC. The quantitative results were supported by qualitative findings, which underscored the cultural and motivational nuances shaping students' communication behaviors, adding depth to the data. The study highlights the importance of subjective experiences, social interactions, and perceived competence in enhancing second language communication. Therefore, the integration of the psychological, social, and volitional support systems can positively impact oral communication outcomes in L2 education.

Assessing Contextual Vocabulary Gaps Among Non-English Majors Across Daily, Social, and Professional Domains

Tantikorn Pookerdpim, Jutamart Pookerdpim — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This study investigates the vocabulary proficiency of non-English major university students in an EFL context across three communicative domains: daily life, social interactions, and professional environments. These domains were selected based on their practical relevance to learners’ real-world communication needs. A 90-item multiple-choice test was developed with reference to existing vocabulary frameworks, reviewed by experts, and piloted with 20 students to ensure validity and reliability. The finalized test was administered to 200 students who self-identified their English proficiency levels as basic, intermediate, or advanced. Results indicated that students demonstrated the highest proficiency in daily life vocabulary, followed by professional vocabulary, with the lowest performance in social interactions. Surprisingly, students at the basic proficiency level outperformed their intermediate and advanced counterparts. This unexpected outcome may be attributed to overestimation bias in self-assessment or to task familiarity that favored basic-level learners. Item analysis revealed significant challenges with abstract and pragmatic vocabulary, particularly in social and professional domains. The test showed strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha >.80) and high construct validity through strong correlations with the Vocabulary Levels Test. These findings highlight the need for differentiated vocabulary instruction that reflects learners’ communicative needs, context-sensitive assessment practices, and targeted pedagogical support to address vocabulary development gaps in EFL learners.

The Communication Theory of Identity: Investigating Sources, Communication Strategies, and Outcomes of Identity Gaps Management during College Internships

Nuchada Dumrongsiri — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

The communication theory of identity (CTI) posits that identity is inseparable from communication and outlines four interrelated identity frames that are influenced through communication: personal, enacted, relational, and communal. When these identity frames contradict one another, identity gaps occur. Although identity gaps appear in various contexts, the literature provides limited insight into how people manage them. College internships represent a setting in which students may experience identity gaps during the transition from university to workplace. This study aims to further explain (1) the sources of identity gaps, (2) how interns respond to these identity gaps, and (3) whether such responses result in positive outcomes. Participants (N = 20) were undergraduates majoring in language and visual arts who completed a 1–3-month internship during their junior or senior year. They were recruited through snowball sampling and participated in 30- to 60-minute interviews. The findings revealed seven sources of identity gaps and four communication strategies to cope with them, leading to both positive and negative outcomes, including communication satisfaction, career interest, and self-exploration. Theoretical and practical implications are suggested for future research.

Portrayal of Jeju Air Flight 2216 Incident in Thai News Media and Its Influence on Risk Perception in Air Travel Intention on Thai Audiences

Xin Fan, Salas Supalakwatchana — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This study investigates the portrayal of the Jeju Air Flight 2216 Incident in Thai news media and its influence on Thai audiences’ perception of air travel risk and travel intentions. Employing a mixed method, the research first utilized content analysis to identify emerging themes in news articles from top Thai news agencies following the December 29, 2024, incident. Secondly, a survey with 155 participants explored the impact of media portrayal on perceived risk factors and the influence of these factors on air travel intention. The content analysis revealed seven key themes. Findings from the quantitative analysis strongly indicate that the Thai news media’s portrayal of the incident positively influenced Thai audiences’ perceived risk of air travel across risk perception factors. Furthermore, all three perceived risk factors were found to negatively influence air travel intention (B ranging from -0.370 to -0.520, p <.001). These findings underscore the significant role of news media in shaping public risk perception during aviation crises and its direct impact on travel behaviour. The study suggests that news media, governments, and the aviation industry should consider these dynamics when developing crisis communication strategies to mitigate negative impacts and rebuild public trust in air travel.

Dear readers of the NIDA Journal of Language and Communication

Pattrawut Charoenroop — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700