LEARNING IDIOMS FOR ENGLISH MAJORS: VIETNAMESE STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF DIFFICULTIES AND LEARNING STRATEGIES

Authors

  • Phuong-Bao-Tran Nguyen Can Tho University, Vietnam
  • Nhu Hao Phan Can Tho University, Vietnam
  • Tuong Vy Le Can Tho University, Vietnam
  • Le Huyen Tran Tran Can Tho University, Vietnam
  • Thi Thu Thao Pham Can Tho University, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v9i11.4531

Keywords:

students' perception, EFL learners, idioms, difficulties of learning idioms, strategies for learning idioms

Abstract

Learning idioms play an influential role in language generally and in English notably. Comprehending idioms assists language learners in integrating culture, enhancing skills, and ameliorating English levels. Numerous studies have analyzed the function of idioms in second language acquisition (Cieślicka, 2015). This study investigates the difficulties and strategies used in learning idioms by English-majored students at a regional public university (PU) in the south of Vietnam. This paper furnishes data showing learners’ perceptions of facing complications and learning methods. The samples consisted of 150 undergraduate EFL students from English-medium instruction programs. The data was analyzed by utilizing descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings reveal that students struggle to understand idiomatic terms without specific, understandable contexts. Furthermore, the results indicate that the most frequently employed strategies are guessing the meaning of idioms, learning idioms through keywords, and learning from a range of sources, particularly via media. The findings also mentioned that low-proficiency and high-proficiency students encounter identical challenges, with no significant differences. The study's results revealed that the majority of students have difficulty acquiring, recognizing, and interpreting idioms. The findings indicated that guessing the implication of idioms is the most used strategy.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Phuong-Bao-Tran Nguyen, Can Tho University, Vietnam

    Phuong Bao Tran Nguyen is a PhD student at Department of Linguistics, KU Leuven. Before that, she was a junior lecturer of English at Can Tho University’s School of Foreign Languages. She holds an M.A. in Teaching Principles and Methods in English Language from Can Tho University in Vietnam where she has taught English as a foreign language for nine years. Her research interests lie in the areas of English-medium instruction (EMI), English for Specific (ESP) and Academic Purposes (EAP), Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and Language Blended Learning (LBL). Email: anita.nguyen@kuleuven.be or npbtran@ctu.edu.vn

  • Nhu Hao Phan, Can Tho University, Vietnam

    Nhu Hao Phan is currently a student in School of Foreign languages at Can Tho University in Vietnam. Her research fields are English Language and Culture. She is the main author of this research. She contributed to analyzing the data by using the sources of joint authors in the research group. Email: haob1909345@student.ctu.edu.vn

  • Tuong Vy Le, Can Tho University, Vietnam

    Tuong Vy Le is currently a student in School of Foreign languages at Can Tho University in Vietnam. Her research fields are English Language and Culture. She is the joint author of this research. She contributed to collecting all the data and completing the format of the article by using the sources of joint authors in the research group. Email: vy1909492@student.ctu.edu.vn

  • Le Huyen Tran Tran, Can Tho University, Vietnam

    Le Huyen Tran Tran is currently a student in School of Foreign languages at Can Tho University in Vietnam. Her research fields are mainly in English Language and Culture. She is the joint author and is responsible for constructing the quantitative data in this research. Email: tranb1911038@student.ctu.edu.vn

  • Thi Thu Thao Pham, Can Tho University, Vietnam

    Thi Thu Thao Pham is currently a student in School of Foreign languages at Can Tho University in Vietnam. Her research fields are mainly in English Language and Culture. She is the joint author and is responsible for constructing the qualitative data in this research. Email: thaob1909479@student.ctu.edu.vn

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Published

2022-11-10

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 11 (2022)

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