language learning curiosity and performance in receptive skills : a correlational study of iraqi efl university students
Exploration and knowledge-seeking are fundamentally driven by the natural urge of curiosity. individuals with high levels of interest will be driven to question areas of their learning that are still unclear, look for new information and knowledge, provide particular answers, and pay great attention in class, whereas individuals with low levels of curiosity would behave differently. As a result, the present study is conducted to investigate the correlation of EFL learners' language learning curiosity with their performance in receptive skills. Thus, the study aims at finding out: 1) Iraqi EFL students’ level of language learning curiosity and performance in receptive skills. 2) The correlations between Iraqi EFL students’ language learning curiosity and performance in receptive skills. 3) The extent to which language learning curiosity and ambiguity tolerance contribute to EFL students’ performance in receptive skills. A random sample of 375 students from Baghdad University, Tikrit University, and Wasit University's English Language Departments for the (2022-2023) academic year is selected. In the study two instruments are employed which are language learning curiosity questionnaire and a receptive skills test. The results show that students have an accepted level of language learning curiosity and a low level of performance in receptive skills with positive significant correlations between EFL learners' language learning curiosity with their performance in receptive skills. Finally, conclusions are put forward. (Published abstract)