- learning about idioms- getting insights into how idioms can be studied empirically- learning how to prepare for and conduct your own empirical study

lectures, discussions, oral and written tasks

Idioms are an important component of proficient language use by speakers of English as a foreign language. Yet, idiomatic expressions are considered difficult to teach because they often contain unpredictable meanings, grammar and collocations, and have special connotations (Cacciari & Tabossi 1993; Moon 2001; Abisamra 2002). Traditional methods that focus on rote learning and memorization have been criticized for treating idioms as isolated entities, without systematic arrangements and authentic circumstances. Current research thus seeks to put idiomatic expressions in a more meaningful learning context for foreign language (L2) learners. In this course, we will investigate how the production and processing of idioms can be studied empirically.

successful completion of Introduction to Linguistics 

successful completion of Introduction to Linguistics 

- A guide to relevant literature will be discussed in the first sessions- Some readings and other class material will be made available on Moodle

topics discussed in class 

class participation, presentation, written assignments