{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,17]],"date-time":"2026-04-17T02:01:16Z","timestamp":1776391276215,"version":"3.51.2"},"reference-count":66,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,17]],"date-time":"2026-03-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1773705600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,17]],"date-time":"2026-03-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1773705600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/doi.wiley.com\/10.1002\/tdm_license_1.1"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Computer Assisted Learning"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,4]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>ABSTRACT<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Informal digital learning of English (IDLE) has been widely shown to enhance English as a foreign language (EFL) learners' proficiency. However, most research has examined a single context, limiting understanding of how IDLE shapes learners' willingness to communicate in a second language (L2 WTC) across different sociocultural environments.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objectives<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study addresses this gap by comparing IDLE practises and their influence on L2 WTC amongst EFL learners in Iran and Macau.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A cross\u2010cultural mixed\u2010methods design was adopted. In the quantitative phase, Lee and Sylv\u00e9n's (2021) questionnaire was administered to 352 EFL learners (250 in Iran; 102 in Macau). Hierarchical regression analyses tested the extent to which receptive IDLE (consuming English digital content) and productive IDLE (creating English digital content) predicted L2 WTC in each context. In the qualitative phase, 20 learners (10 per context) participated in semi\u2010structured interviews supported by photos and videos illustrating their IDLE activities. These materials were used in photo\u2010elicitation and video\u2010stimulated recall sessions. Data were analysed thematically.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Receptive and productive IDLE both significantly predicted L2 WTC amongst Iranian students, whereas only receptive IDLE emerged as a significant predictor for students in Macau. Qualitative findings revealed that differences in IDLE use were shaped by social\u2010political conditions, socio\u2010economic opportunities and historical\u2013cultural factors unique to each context.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The study demonstrates that IDLE contributes to L2 WTC differently across contexts and that sociocultural factors strongly mediate learners' engagement in digital English practises. These findings highlight the importance of context\u2010sensitive approaches for optimising IDLE\u2010based learning in Iran and Macau.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1002\/jcal.70220","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,18]],"date-time":"2026-03-18T01:19:55Z","timestamp":1773796795000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Exploring the Role of Informal Digital English Learning in\n                    <scp>EFL<\/scp>\n                    Students' Communication Behaviour in Iran and Macau: A Cross\u2010Cultural Mixed\u2010Methods Study"],"prefix":"10.1002","volume":"42","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8037-5632","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ali","family":"Soyoof","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of English Education University of Hong Kong  Hong Kong SAR China"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3984-2059","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Barry Lee","family":"Reynolds","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Education University of Macau  Macau SAR China"},{"name":"Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences University of Macau  Macau SAR China"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_14_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.64152\/10125\/44660"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3138\/cmlr.2666"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/13621688241234225"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4018\/ijcallt.2011070101"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/weng.12053"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1191\/1478088706qp063oa"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-981-10-5251-4_103"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/03637757609375916"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/tesq.133"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.system.2017.07.017"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.system.2016.07.007"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_13_1","volume-title":"Steps in Conducting a Scholarly Mixed Methods Study","author":"Creswell J. W.","year":"2013"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.22599\/jesla.37"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/tesj.566"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1509\/jimk.15.1.030"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_17_1","volume-title":"The Handbook of Informal Language Learning","author":"Dressman M.","year":"2020"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4135\/9781412963909"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1609406917748215"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.64152\/10125\/44667"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.30827\/portalin.viVIII.29243"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/17501229.2024.2355296"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.64152\/10125\/44658"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/9781118445112.stat00365.pub2"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/09658416.2019.1675679"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s40862\u2010022\u201000169\u2010y"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/bjet.12599"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_28_1","volume-title":"Informal Digital Learning of English: Research to Practice","author":"Lee J. S.","year":"2022"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_29_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.14742\/ajet.5177"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_30_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/bjet.12955"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_31_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1362168819890825"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_32_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/01434632.2022.2039677"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_33_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/09588221.2021.1901746"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_34_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/bjet.13082"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_35_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/lang.12640"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_36_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/tesq.3233"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_37_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/00336882251332309"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_38_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.system.2024.103319"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_39_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s42321\u2010021\u201000087\u20101"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_40_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0261927X960151001"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_41_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1540\u20104781.1998.tb05543.x"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_42_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/03055698.2021.1873738"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_43_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11943\u2010015\u20100161\u20101"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_44_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.system.2024.103232"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_45_1","volume-title":"SPSS Survival Manual: A Step by Step Guide to Data Analysis Using IBM SPSS","author":"Pallant J.","year":"2020"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_46_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1609406917719623"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_47_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.system.2019.04.006"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_48_1","first-page":"22","article-title":"The Problem of Reticence","volume":"22","author":"Phillips G. M.","year":"1965","journal-title":"Pennsylvania Speech Annual"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_49_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1017\/S0261444817000192"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_50_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-981-99-1490-6_1"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_51_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/15348458.2024.2406847"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_52_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/09588221.2024.2350419"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_53_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/bjet.13461"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_54_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1057\/9781137414885"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_55_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/10494820.2021.2024579"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_56_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/10494820.2022.2096643"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_57_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/00336882251355879"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_58_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/09588221.2023.2171065"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_59_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10643\u2010024\u201001675\u2010z"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_60_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/09588221.2021.1936562"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_61_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.64152\/10125\/44674"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_62_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1017\/S0267190524000072"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_63_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.system.2015.04.001"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_64_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1075\/itl.21003.tam"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_65_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/13621688241237214"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_66_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3145\/epi.2023.may.01"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_67_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/09588221.2022.2134424"}],"container-title":["Journal of Computer Assisted Learning"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1002\/jcal.70220","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1002\/jcal.70220","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1002\/jcal.70220","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,17]],"date-time":"2026-04-17T01:34:00Z","timestamp":1776389640000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/jcal.70220"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,17]]},"references-count":66,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,4]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1002\/jcal.70220"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/jcal.70220","archive":["Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["0266-4909","1365-2729"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0266-4909","type":"print"},{"value":"1365-2729","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,17]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2025-12-06","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-01-29","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-03-17","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}],"article-number":"e70220"}}