IDIOMS2GO WORKSHOP: a superação do language plateau através de expressões idiomáticas em inglês

Abstract

This study is based on the central question, "How does the use of idiomatic expressions interfere in fluency of English as a second language?". It is surrounded by temporary fossilization or language plateau, a phenomenon frequently observed among intermediate-level learners of English as an additional language. This issue has significant implications for student motivation, perceived progress, and the rate of attrition from language schools. Native speakers often boost their everyday discourse with idiomatic expressions, which can represent barriers for non-native speakers, despite their competence in grammatical structures and textbook vocabulary. While mastering idiomatic expressions is fundamental for effective communication, the process of teaching and learning these expressions is arduous. To hinge this project as an asynchronous online workshop focused on idiomatic expressions in English, extensive bibliographical research was undertaken. A multimodal approach was designed to engage learners and foster skills that align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4. It comprehends four modules with gamification elements, allowing students to explore expressions related to body parts through various digital tools, including Nearpod, COCA, Google Sheets, YouTube, Canva, and Spotify. The workshop activates familiar vocabulary, enabling students to recognize new expressions, infer meanings, and eventually integrate these expressions into their repertoire, to, subsequently, create of digital content. Although this asynchronous online workshop model has not yet been validated, it has shown efficient outcomes in synchronous, face-to-face environment. Its implementation in an online setting not only facilitates the mastery of the additional language but also promotes digital literacy, equipping students with the skills necessary to effectively navigate and take advantage of the knowledge available on the internet, and, hence, becoming digitally literate citizens.