What do advanced ESL\EFL students’ need to know to overcome ‘collocational’ hurdles?

Abstract

This paper deals with the issue of collocations. More specifically, it investigates the role collocations play in achieving a native-like level of English language proficiency, and the essentials that advanced students of English should know to be able to overcome „collocational‟ hurdles. The paper proposes that advanced EFL\ESL students be provided with a solid theoretical background to be able to understand the concept of collocation, as this, in turn, can considerably alleviate the process of collocation reception and production. Based on a thorough literature review, the paper highlights aspects of collocations that should necessarily be brought to students‟ attention since the true mastery of English is unconceivable without a proper collocational competence. In that respect, first, different definitions of collocations are discussed; then, the most distinctive features of collocations which help in distinguishing collocations from similar phraseological expressions are presented; and, finally, the focus is placed on the different types of collocations. In addition, the paper lays out a selection of useful „tools‟ and practices such as regular and well-organized note taking (students‟ collocation glossaries); consulting collocation dictionaries, electronic language corpora and concordances, all of which are essential for advanced students of English to approximate native-like proficiency.