A Cognitive View On The Acquisition Of Idioms In L2

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature of English idioms and thus draw some clues for the L2 idiom learning by analyzing the similarities and differences in idiom comprehension and production between native speakers and ESL learners. Especially, the author focuses the attention on what kinds of idioms are the most difficult for L2 learners to interpret; what kinds of strategies L2 learners employ in comprehending English idioms; and whether second language learners use knowledge of their first language to comprehend and produce idioms in the second language, etc.?The paper begins with the exploration of the nature of English idioms and the relation between idiom and idiomaticity, expatiating the formation and distinctive features of idioms as well as the important position they obtain in languages. The second and third part covers idiom acquisition and teaching, with the emphasis on the second language learner's idiom comprehension and production. By analyzing idiom acquisition and learning in both LI and L2, the author puts forward many an applicable strategy, evaluates their strong and weak points respectively and provides pertinent suggestions for second language teaching. In the fourth part, the author carries out a series of experiments with the purpose of working out feasible solutions to problems like ambiguity and error output that constantly harass second language learners, with idiom learning and teaching approaches reconsidered.Since second language learners encounter more obstacles in command of idioms due to various factors: nonproficiency in handling linguistic structures, deficiency in idiom exposure, different cultural background and so on. Thus, the author dedicated a considerable time and energy with the purpose of revealing the links between idiom acquisition and idiom teaching and how the cultural factor works as either an impedimenta or an accelerator.