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not know what they are – and the same can probably be said for many EFL
teachers too! Secondly, there is no apparent reasoning or rule behind them.
Collocations are wonderful chunks of language that native speakers of
English use naturally and frequently. As teachers, it is our responsibility to show
our students ways in which they not only understand meaning of these special
language groupings, but ensure that they use them in the appropriate contexts.
Collocations are extremely useful for the language learner to be aware of
and begin using when developing their second language. English-native speakers
are already aware of which verbs co-occur with particular nouns, which adjectives
frequently latch on to certain nouns, and frequent and current idioms. Examples
include
stand down,
get over, and catch phrases such as,
keep smiling and
chin up.
An advantage of teaching collocations in the language classroom can assist
learners with fluency. According to James Nattinger, a renowned linguisitics
professor at Portland State University, instruction of chunks of language helps
learners avoid incongruity.
