In this virtual special issue editorial, we examine the claims put forward by studies
concerning East Asian language learners' reticence and willingness to communicate ('WTC')
published in System between 2000 and 2015. The selected articles have explored why and
how language learners are willing to participate or choose to be reticent in classroom
activities in a variety of contexts including Japan, Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong,
Macau, New Zealand, and Taiwan. The findings encourage language teachers to involve …