Idioms in Russian Textbooks: How Many are Present and What Portion Undergoes Teaching?
This study examined 11 popular Russian Intermediate/Advanced level textbooks to assess the inclusion and explicit teaching of idioms. The absence of explicit idiom definitions or criteria in textbooks was a significant finding. Authors’ preference for the term “phraseologisms” created challenges, as...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of the National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ncolctl.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/vol38-p5.pdf |
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| Summary: | This study examined 11 popular Russian Intermediate/Advanced level textbooks to assess the inclusion and explicit teaching of idioms. The absence of explicit idiom definitions or criteria in textbooks was a significant finding. Authors’ preference for the term “phraseologisms” created challenges, as this term, widely used in Russian linguistic tradition, encompasses various stable collocations. To address this, it is recommended that teachers use Western linguistic terminology and provide learners with clear idiom definitions. The study also identified a notable disparity in idiom coverage, raising concerns about insufficient emphasis on idioms. Language corpora are suggested as tools for teachers to enhance exposure to commonly used idiomatic expressions. Furthermore, there is considerable variation in explicit idiom teaching through exercises, emphasizing the need for more targeted exercises in Russian textbooks to improve language learners’ idiomatic competence. Practical recommendations include using different techniques for idiom presentation, such as etymological elaboration, and incorporating communicative activities into exercises for effective idiom practice. |
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| ISSN: | 1930-9031 2689-2979 |