Teaching collocations
Teaching collocations

An integrated approach

Author(s): Tünde Nagy
Subject(s): Language studies, Language and Literature Studies, Foreign languages learning, Applied Linguistics
Published by: Scientia Kiadó
Keywords: collocations; lexical approach; task-based approach; language learners and language users
Summary/Abstract: Although in the last few decades emphasis has been laid on teaching vocabulary in foreign language classes, the importance of collocations often remains overlooked. Collocational awareness as a significant skill for language learners and language users (translators) alike can be acquired and developed at all levels provided enough attention is given to these linguistic constructions. While no perfect method exists that would guarantee the successful acquisition of collocations, it is believed that an integrated approach that combines various teaching methods, along with widely applicable teaching principles and strategies (Kumaravadivelu 2003), can yield satisfactory results. The theoretical considerations of the lexical approach (Lewis 1993, 2000) and also that of the task-based approach (Ellis 2003) provide useful teaching objectives, among which we can find the importance of teaching collocations and language chunks, noticing (giving students enough input so that they can observe the use of collocations in context), fostering students’ problem-solving skills and at the same time actively drawing their attention to collocations, providing contexts in which students can see collocations in their entirety, etc. Following the guidelines outlined in these approaches to a certain extent, the book offers a possible alternative to teaching collocations, also including exercises that can be used in EFL, ESP (business English), and translation classes.

• Details
• Contents