Influences of Erasmus+ Youth Exchange Projects on Participants' Willingness to Communicate and L2 Motivation

Abstract

Erasmus+ Youth Exchange Projects are a subset of Erasmus+ Mobilities, providing various informal learning settings for the youth in Erasmus+ countries aged 13-30. These programs primarily aim to improve communication among participants from different European nations and increase awareness about certain concerns highlighted by The European Union Youth Strategy. While Erasmus+ Student Exchanges have been examined in relation to foreign language instruction, there is a scarcity of study on the impact of the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange Project with regard to participants' age, gender, and nationality. This research showcases the impact of Erasmus+ Youth Exchange Projects on enhancing motivation in speaking a second language (L2) and willingness to communicate (WTC) in that language, particularly English. This study employed an explanatory mixed-method approach, utilizing a designated scale for the quantitative component. The objective was to examine the variations in WTC and L2 motivation across 56 individuals from different nations. The participants consist of individuals in the age range of 18 to 30, specifically teens and young adults. After contacting the participants of the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange Project questionnaire, a total of 7 individuals were chosen for the qualitative portion. The quantitative analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS Version 25.0, whereas the qualitative analysis involved the generation and examination of themes derived from participant responses. Erasmus+ Youth Exchange Projects are crucial in facilitating intercultural communication and encouraging the desire for second language motivation. This research offers significant information for students, educators, and extracurricular programs.