THE IMPACT OF DIFFERENT LOADS OF INVOLVEMENT ON EFL STUDENTS’ INCIDENTAL LEARNING OF IDIOMS

Authors

  • Mehrnoush Ataafarin Department of English Language, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran
  • Ghasem Aghajanzadeh Kiasi Department of English Language, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejel.v0i0.939

Keywords:

English idioms, involvement load, different task types, EFL students

Abstract

Idioms are essential parts of any language learning that indicate second language proficiency of learners in their communication. However, there is no doubt that idioms are more difficult to learn and comprehend than usual words of phrases. The present study investigated the possible effects of providing different task types with involvement loads on Iranian pre-intermediate EFL students' learning of idiom. A total number of 60 EFL students were selected based on their performance on Quick Placement Test and idiom familiarity test. The participants were randomly divided into three groups each containing 20 students. The data gathered through conducting pretest, posttest, and delayed posttest of L2 idioms were analyzed through descriptive statistics and inferential statistics of one way ANOVA and paired samples t test. The findings revealed that tasks with higher involvement load led to better performance of students both in initial learning and the retention of idioms. The findings would hopefully encourage teachers and learners to use tasks and with deeper cognitive processing and higher involvement load to have more effective learning of English idioms.

Author Biographies

  • Mehrnoush Ataafarin, Department of English Language, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran
    Mehrnoush Ataafarin is currently an M.A. candidate in TEFL at Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran. She is also IELTS instructors in English language institutes. She is interested in doing research on teaching and learning English and technology integration in TEFL.
  • Ghasem Aghajanzadeh Kiasi, Department of English Language, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran

    Ghasem Aghajanzadeh Kiasi is also a faculty member at Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch. His research interests are teaching English, language teacher education, syllabus design, and technology integration in TEFL. He has published articles in the area of TEFL and teacher education, and some English textbooks at university levels.

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Published

2017-08-05

Issue

Vol 2, No 4 (2017)

Section

Articles

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