ENGLISH PHRASEOLOGY IN LANGUAGE TEACHING: A SYNTHESIS OF THEORY AND PRACTICE

Аннотация

This article explores the theoretical and pedagogical significance of phraseology in English language teaching. Phraseological units—idioms, collocations, and set expressions—reflect cultural values, social norms, and historical knowledge. Their mastery enhances learners’ linguistic fluency and cultural competence. The article examines the semantic structure of phraseological units, classification of components, and effective teaching strategies. Emphasizing the interconnection between language and culture, it advocates for an integrated approach to phraseology instruction that combines semantic analysis, contextualization, and comparative methods. Phraseological competence is presented as essential for meaningful communication in English as a foreign language. Keywords: phraseological units, idioms, language teaching, semantic decomposition, contextualization, comparative analysis, cultural connotations, interactive learning, lexical phrases, pedagogical strategies Phraseology, the study of stable word combinations, has emerged as a critical domain in applied linguistics and language pedagogy. A phraseological unit (PU) is generally understood as a fixed or semi-fixed expression whose meaning cannot always be inferred from its individual components. These expressions include idioms, proverbs, collocations, and set phrases. Their study enables learners to decode cultural metaphors, social norms, and historical references embedded in language. Despite their ubiquity in native discourse, phraseological units remain one of the most elusive aspects for language learners due to their figurative, often non- compositional, meanings. Their acquisition demands not only linguistic but also https://scientific-jl.org/obr 3 7 Выпуск журнала №-70 Часть–6_ июня –2025 ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ НАУКА И ИННОВАЦИОННЫЕ ИДЕИ В МИРЕ 2181-3187 cultural literacy. As such, phraseology is no longer viewed merely as a lexical phenomenon but as a cognitive and sociocultural tool, reinforcing the view that language and culture are inseparable. Phraseological Units in Language Teaching: Importance and Challenges Phraseological units, which include idioms, collocations, phrasal verbs, proverbs, and other fixed or semi-fixed expressions, are integral to mastering a foreign language. In English, such expressions are frequently used in both spoken and written discourse, often carrying meanings that cannot be directly inferred from the individual words. Therefore, the ability to understand and appropriately use phraseological units is essential for learners aiming to achieve fluency, accuracy, and native-like proficiency. One of the main reasons phraseological units are important in language teaching is their role in fostering communicative competence. These units often convey specific cultural values, pragmatic meanings, and connotations that go beyond literal interpretation. For instance, idiomatic expressions like “kick the bucket” or “let the cat out of the bag” require both linguistic and cultural knowledge to be correctly understood and used. Teaching these expressions helps learners not only grasp the language but also gain insight into the worldview and social behaviors of native speakers. In addition, phraseological units enrich learners’ vocabulary and enhance their expressive capabilities. They provide alternative, often more colorful or nuanced, ways of expressing ideas. For example, rather than simply saying someone is "very happy," learners can say they are "on cloud nine" or "over the moon." Such usage reflects a deeper level of language mastery and allows learners to communicate more naturally and effectively. Furthermore, the teaching of phraseology is often neglected in traditional language curricula, which tend to focus more on grammar and general vocabulary. As a result, learners may have a solid grammatical foundation but still struggle to https://scientific-jl.org/obr 3 8 Выпуск журнала №-70 Часть–6_ июня –2025 ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ НАУКА И ИННОВАЦИОННЫЕ ИДЕИ В МИРЕ 2181-3187 understand common expressions used in everyday conversation, literature, film, and media. To overcome these challenges, language instruction must adopt a more integrated approach that incorporates phraseological units into all levels of teaching. This includes using context-rich materials, contrastive analysis with the students' native language, visual aids, and interactive activities like role plays or storytelling that naturally involve such expressions. Teachers should also encourage learners to keep personal phraseological dictionaries and practice using new expressions in various communicative contexts. Semantic Structure of Phraseological Units The semantic intricacy of PUs has prompted much scholarly debate, particularly on the nature and role of their components. A.V. Kunin and other influential linguists have argued that a phraseological unit must exhibit semantic unity, lexical fixity, and idiomaticity. Kunin classifies PUs into several categories based on how t