Working in the Classroom

Abstract

Idioms occur frequently in classroom language. Students with literacy or language weaknesses are often challenged by idioms; therefore, the failure to comprehend idioms can impact academic performance. Four 7th-grade female students (mean age: 12 years, 6 months) participated in a multiple baseline single subject study during their general education intensive reading class. Three sets of idioms were taught to examine the effects of classwide peer tutoring (CWPT) intervention on idiom comprehension. Following implementation of CWPT, comprehension of most idiomatic phrases increased and remained largely stable as indicated through visual analysis. Teaching idioms with CWPT was flexible, effective, and time-efficient in a general education classroom setting. Speech language pathologists collaborating with educators should provide evidence-based interventions as guided by educational standards and curriculum. Response to intervention provides a framework to implement a classroom intervention for all students to facilitate idiom understanding.

Afghan EFL students’ difficulties and strategies in learning and understanding English idioms

“…A better understanding of idioms is a requirement for English proficiency and accuracy, and lack of such understanding results in a great deal of misunderstanding (Shirazi & Talebinezhad, 2013). In addition, idioms are widespread in academic settings, and failing to understand them may lead to poor academic performance (Lundblom & Woods, 2012). Learning idioms help EFL learners get involved into the real world and speak English fluently and naturally since they are considered as a part of natural and conversational language (Tadayyon & Ketabi, 2014).…”

Strategies and Difficulties of Understanding English Idioms: A Case Study of Saudi University EFL Students

“…Furthermore, Lundblom & Woods (2012) emphasised the importance of understanding idioms. They believe that idioms are clearly presented in academic settings; consequently, failure to comprehend idioms could affect academic performance, written composition, reading comprehension, and vocabulary, especially because the occurrence of idioms in classroom language increases as students advance in age and grade.…”

Contents, communicational needs and learner expectations: a study of SSL in Haitian immigrants

“…In order to support the objectives and methodology used in this inquiry, the present article is based mainly on three previous studies carried out by specialists in the areas of linguistics and education: Toledo (2016), Lundblom & Woods (2012), and Condemarín, García-Huidobro & Gutiérrez (2011).…”

“…Some specialists have referred to the different methods needed in the classroom when teaching a second language; methodologies such as collaborative tables and classwide peer tutoring have got surprising results (Lundblom & Woods, 2012). However, these are usually not present in lessons offered by volunteers without training in SLA.…”