EFL Undergraduate Learners’ Politeness Strategies in the Speech Act of Disagreement

This study investigated politeness strategies of disagreement expressed by undergraduate Iraqi EFL students in Online Asynchronous Discussions OADs. The data were collected from 100 individuals randomly chosen classes at Mosul university. investigation focused on the impact that gender may have could be used to lessen possibility conflict expressing face-threatening act FTAs. For collection, participants required fill a Discourse Completion Test (DCT), adapted Rasekh and Simin (2015) simulate online asynchronous discussions. Muntigl Turnbull's (1998) taxonomy was identify expressions. investigation, Brown Levinson’s (1987) theory adopted. demonstrated both males females do not consider others’ faces. In addition, it showed no regard for interlocutors' power social statuses However, results provided valuable insight teachers curriculum designers, generally context specific. Pedagogical recommendations are discussed based findings.