Philippine E-Journals

LEARNING DIFFICULTIES AND STRATEGIES OF UNDERSTANDING ENGLISH IDIOMS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Sherill G. Dumaga

 

Abstract:

This study aimed to investigate the learning difficulties and strategies in English idioms through Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and descriptive analysis in gathering data and information from selected studies. A repertory grid was prepared to thematize and analyze the results and findings of the study. Findings revealed that differences in culture and language of people living in the community or society were the primary reasons of difficulty in learning English idioms. Also, lack of reading materials, exclusion of idioms in the course syllabus, and traditional approaches during primary and secondary levels led to poor performance in learning idioms. However, teaching strategies such as task-based cooperative learning and integrated skills approach rather than the traditional approach like rote learning or memorization of the meanings of idioms have been noted down to solve such dilemma. Therefore, teachers should use functional and practical teaching methods and strategies in order to make learning more useful and fun. Since there is no best strategy and method in teaching, learning styles of varied learners should be given primary consideration.