The Relationship between Idiomatic Usage and University of Bahrain Students’ Proficiency in English Language

Abstract

The aim of this study was to find out whether there is a correlation between UoB students’ English Language Proficiency (LP) and their Idiomatic Competency (IC). In addition, to determine whether culture plays an important role in influencing the students' understanding of idioms. Furthermore, to assess how far the current situation of teaching and learning the English language affects the process of developing IC. And to find out any difficulties and shortcomings of teaching and learning idioms at UoB. Reviewing the previous studies in the field of idiomatic language usage showed that the issue of the correlation between learners' LP and their IC is controversial. This study investigated the controversy around the issue in order to explore the UoB students and to examine whether there is a significant correlation between their LP and IC. The researcher selected a sample of students who sat for a proficiency test along with a test for idiomatic language. Two questionnaires were administered to elicit the UoB students' and teachers' views on the importance of the use of idiomatic expressions in a classroom. The researcher compared scores from both teachers' and students' LP test and their idiomatic language tests. She also measured the effect of culture on the ability to comprehend idiomatic expressions. She examined the current situation of teaching the English language and its role in the learners’ comprehension of idiomatic expressions. She discussed the difficulties faced by the UoB’s students in learning idioms. The study found that there is a significant correlation between UoB students' LP and their IC. In addition, culture plays a huge role in influencing teaching and learning idioms. Both teachers and students encounter some difficulties in teaching and learning idioms in the classroom.