The Influence of Using Word forks on Developing Collocative Competence of Intermediate Iranian EFL Learners

Abstract

One of the most problematic areas of learning English as a foreign or second language is learning phrasal verbs (PVs)
in collocation with certain nouns. The present study was designed to test a procedure called the word fork technique
to help intermediate EFL students to develop their collocative competence in using PVs. A group of 30 intermediate
Iranian EFL students were randomly selected. They were given a pre – test and a post – test each in two phases. In
order to check the efficacy of using the word fork technique in developing the participants' collocative competence in
using PVs they were required to devote a time period of about 15 to 20 minutes of each class session practicing PVs,
using the newly developed technique. This lasted for 20 session. Based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that
the new technique can efficiently help the target population to improve their collocative competence in using PVs in
specific and their communicative ability in English in general.