Investigate the difficulties of the Iraqi EFL learners in understanding the figurative meaning of English idiomatic expressions

الملخص EN

Idiomatic expressions are essential for making progress in language learning.

This study attempts to investigate Iraqi EFL learners' difficulties in understanding the figurative meaning of English idioms.

The sample of the study is about 27 5th grade students in a secondary school are selected to participate in this study based on a convenience method.

In this study, qualitative research methods such as focus group interviews, students' learning diaries, and classroom observation are used to find out what difficulties that students face in understanding the figurative meaning of English idioms.

The results show that learning idioms are a difficult task for students, many of the students have difficulties in understanding the figurative meaning of idioms.

In addition, the results show that there are many factors affect the lack of figurative meaning of idioms.

This study will provide important pedagogical recommendations to improve students' knowledge of the figurative meaning of idioms.