| The present study has attempted to explore knowledge and use of English lexical collocations in their relation to non-native speakers' speaking proficiency. In addition, the current study has aimed at examining and describing possible correlations between knowledge and use of lexical collocations.;Data for the study were collected from 96 subjects, 24 native speakers and 72 non-native speakers of English. The Test of Lexical Collocations was constructed and used to draw out the subjects' knowledge of lexical collocations. The Test of Speaking Proficiency was administrated to measure their level of speaking proficiency and to collect data on the subjects' use of lexical collocations.;Test results were examined for differences between the native and non-native groups as well as among sub-groups of the non-native speakers. Test results were examined for correlations between the subjects' knowledge of lexical collocations and their use of lexical collocations, between their use of lexical collocations and their speaking proficiency, and between their speaking proficiency and their knowledge of lexical collocations. Additionally, the non-native speakers' length of stay in the U.S. was statistically examined in relation to their knowledge of lexical collocations, their use of lexical collocations, and their speaking proficiency.;Findings of the study showed that there were significant correlations between non-native speakers' lexical collocational knowledge and the use of lexical collocations in their spoken communications, between their speaking proficiency and their use of lexical collocations, and more strongly, between their knowledge of lexical collocations and their speaking proficiency. There were also moderate, although statistically significant, correlations between non-native speakers' length of stay in the U.S. and their knowledge of lexical collocations, their use of lexical collocations in their spoken communications, and their speaking proficiency. The current study concludes that knowledge of lexical collocations is a more significant indicator of degree of speaking proficiency than other factors such as the use of lexical collocations or length of stay in the U.S. Based on the research findings, implications and suggestions for further research are discussed. |
