iraqi efl university students’ ambiguity tolerance and vocabulary proficiency : a correlational study
A good vocabulary is essential for proficient language users. Another factor affecting EFL learning is ambiguity tolerance, as it is likely to hinder or facilitate language learning. Therefore, the objective of the present research study is to reveal the level of Iraqi EFL university students’ ambiguity tolerance and its relationship with their vocabulary proficiency. To achieve this goal, the study instruments: the Vocabulary Size Test (VST), Productive Vocabulary Levels Test (PVLT), and Foreign Language Ambiguity Tolerance scale (FLAT) are administered to 400 Iraqi college students, chosen randomly from colleges of education in three universities (Tikrit, Baghdad and Wasit). Findings show that Iraqi EFL college students have a satisfactory level of ambiguity tolerance. Furthermore, the findings also reveal that there is a positive correlation between ambiguity tolerance and vocabulary proficiency. (Published abstract)