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7 (1) 2017

Teaching English idioms of happiness and sadness through conceptual metaphors in Vietnamese context


Author - Affiliation:
Pham Thai Bao Ngoc - University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University HCMC , Vietnam
Corresponding author: Pham Thai Bao Ngoc - ngocpham1799@gmail.com

Abstract
Idioms have long been regarded as a big challenge for EFL learners. With recent developments in cognitive linguistics, the method of teaching idioms has shifted from rote learning to raising the learner’s awareness of conceptual metaphors (CM). This paper provides support for the adoption of CM in teaching idioms thanks to its effectiveness in enhancing the comprehension and retention of idioms. Because specific techniques of this approach have not been thoroughly explored, the paper attempts to provide and analyze CM-related activities for teaching idioms in EFL classrooms, more specifically teaching English idioms of happiness and sadness in Vietnamese context.

Keywords
Conceptual metaphors; Idioms; Mapping

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