Investigating the Factors Influencing the Comprehension of Idiom Variation in a Second Language

Abstract

In the age of information and technology, idiom variation driven by linguistic creativity occurs more frequently than ever before. This poses a great challenge for L2 learners. The present study conducted a set of tests to investigate the effects of familiarity, L2 proficiency level, variation type, and L1 figurative competence on Chinese EFL learners’ comprehension of English idiom variants. The results revealed significant main effects of familiarity and L2 proficiency level on learners’ performance. Figurative-level variation was the most difficult to understand, followed by idioms with literal-scene modification and simple constructional adaptations. The influence of L1 figurative competence needs to be determined in combination with L2 skills. Pedagogically, the findings call attention to the factors that cause comprehension difficulty to deal with the flexible use of L2 figurative language.

Assessing Listening Comprehension Skills in Indonesian Islamic Higher Education EFL Classrooms: Current Practices, Challenges and Solutions

“…In a similar vein, Buck (2001) elucidates that the act of listening is a complicated process where the listener absorbs auditory stimuli, specifically acoustic signals, and subsequently interprets them by drawing upon an extensive range of language and non-linguistic knowledge. From this, it can be seen that listening is an active process that goes beyond absorbing the message content to empathetically understanding the speaker (Guo & Wills, 2005).…”

“…In the past, there was a prevailing belief that the act of listening followed a bottom-up trajectory, commencing with the development of fundamental abilities such as phonological and morphological recognition and culminating in the acquisition of more advanced skills such as inferential reasoning, predicting, and summarizing (Guo & Wills, 2005). The notion of listening has undergone a transformation, encompassing a more intricate and sophisticated methodology.…”

“…Second, it plays a crucial role in second language acquisition as a whole and specifically in the development of speaking proficiency. Thirdly, in large part, it is via this medium that individuals acquire their knowledge, their ideas, their sense of values, and their appreciation for the world and its human affairs (Guo & Wills, 2005). Finally, listening comprehension tests are a part of almost all standardized and functional English language tests taken around the world (Aziz, 2015).…”

Enhancing Listening Comprehension Skills of EFL Learners Through Using Web-based Learning

“…Therefore, in recent years there has been an increased focus on foreign language listening ability because of its perceived importance in language learning and acquisition. As Guo and Robin (2006) indicate, language learning depends on listening since it provides the aural input that serves as the basis for language acquisition and enables learners to interact in spoken communication. As Cheung (2009) states, listening comprehension lays a foundation for the future acquisition of speaking skill.…”