An inquiry into the use of English idiomatic expressions in EFL learners' essay writing

Abstract EN

Typically, the way learners of English as a foreign language display any learned target culture knowledge is to integrate it in their outputs, either through speech or through writing.

This is because culture subsists along with the four language skills, and it is never a separate entity.

In language pedagogy, in essay writing in particular, the inclusion of idiomatic expressions can be regarded as both an opportunity and a challenge at the same time because idioms are practically language and culture-specific.

Accordingly, the present study intends to explore the presence of target culture knowledge, chiefly the detection of any idiomatic expressions in essays written by licence year two learners studying at the department of English, university of Jijel.

The study used two research instruments, text analysis and a focus group discussion.

The obtained results showed that learners' familiarity and interaction with English idioms is yet deficient, either at the level of theoretical knowledge or at the level of practical idiomatic usage.

Further research into factors that influence learners' knowledge and use of idioms is highly recommended.