Optimizing IELTS Writing Task 2 performance: effects of the WeCWI-Enabled Tencent Applications (WETA) intervention, UTAUT-validated user acceptance, and implied motivational-affective benefits.

INTRODUCTION

Though Technology Enhanced Language Learning (TELL) has advanced EFL writing instruction, existing work remains Western-centric, lacking validated, context-appropriate tools for Chinese learners' persistent IELTS Writing Task 2 challenges. Furthermore, studies have separated writing performance from user acceptance, while the motivational and affective impacts of such interventions remain underexplored in Asia-Pacific EFL settings. To meet the challenges, this study designed, implemented and assessed WeCWI-Enabled Tencent Applications (WETA)-a blended TELL tool designed to integrate WeChat, Tencent Meeting and Web-based Cognitive Writing Instruction (WeCWI), and analyzed its influence on user acceptance based on the IELTS Writing Task 2 performance and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model.

METHODS

Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach, 60 Chinese EFL undergraduates were divided for an 8-week quasi-experiment.

RESULTS

The ANCOVA results showed that the intervention group's participants were associated with a significant and large effect gain in writing scores and also showed gains in its four IELTS scoring sub-criteria, especially in Lexical Resources. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews confirmed high user acceptance and strong sustained use intention, driven by all core UTAUT constructs.

DISCUSSION: Qualitative reflections from participants implied that WETA's design suggests a potential for mitigating high-stakes writing anxiety and is associated with increased academic self-efficacy, providing hypothesis-generating motivational-affective insights for the Asia-Pacific EFL context. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed WeCWI-ADDIE-UTAUT integrated framework, and suggest WETA as a low-cost, context-appropriate, and equitable TELL solution outperforming conventional instruction for Chinese EFL undergraduates.