The Relationship between Iranian EFL Learners' Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary Size and Lexical Coverage of the Text

Abstract

This study was an attempt to investigate the relationship between EFL learners’ vocabulary size, lexical text coverage and their reading comprehension. To fulfill the purpose of this study, 120 male and female students studying at Talesh Azad University were selected based on their performance on Nelson Proficiency Test. Then a Nelson reading proficiency test was administered after the Nelson proficiency test in order to homogenize learners in their reading proficiency.  After that, learners' vocabulary size was measured by the Levels Test. Their lexical coverage of text also was measured by the newest version of Vocabulary Profile and reading comprehension by a teacher made test. Results of the study showed that there was strong relationship between reading comprehension, vocabulary size and lexical coverage of the text.