Incorporating Idiomatic English "A La Cartoon"

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of production. the necessity of use. and the situations of occurrence of idioms. slang. and fixed expressions used by North American people. in order to propose a methodology for incorporating this survival idiomatic language in the teaching of ESL in Colombian settings. The study was conducted by means of a survey. The sample consisted of two groups of English native speakers and one group of foreigners who have English as a second language. The respondents had to check each idiomatic expression in ten different categories that fulfilled the requirements of the three basic factors searched: frequency. necessity. and situation. A criteria for the selection of idioms. slang. and fixed expressions. according to the results obtained through the survey. was established to determine a list of survival idiomatic language for an ESL speaker in the U.S.. This list was the basis for the proposition of a methodology to teach idiomatic language to ESL learners. Cartoons and comic strips were proposed as an appropriate and motivating way to present idiomatic expressions at different levels in ESL classes.