Adjective-noun collocations competence across proficiency levels

  • Déogratias Nizonkiza UBC Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5842/69-0-877
Keywords: collocations, adjective-noun collocations, proficiency levels in English, English proficiency in EFL contexts

Abstract

The present study, a partial replica of Nizonkiza and Van de Poel’s (2014) previous study, examines productive adjective-noun collocational competence among English majors at a university in Burundi. To this end, a collocation test was presented to learners from different class levels. Results indicate that adjective-noun collocations represent a challenge for English majors including those close to completing their Bachelor of Arts degree in English language and literature. Furthermore, collocational competence may also discriminate between learners at different learning stages. Results from this study also confirm the role attributed to frequency in achieving mastery of collocations. Based on these results, teaching implications to improve collocational competence are discussed.

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Published
2025-07-10
How to Cite
Nizonkiza, D. (2025). Adjective-noun collocations competence across proficiency levels. Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics Plus, 69, 57-75. https://doi.org/10.5842/69-0-877
Issue
Vol. 69 (2025)
Section
Articles

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