Abstract:
Owing to the rapid development of China’s diplomatic relationships with South Asia,
tendency of foreign students to learn Chinese language has equally increased.
Among the Chinese language learning institutes in Sri Lanka, University of Kelaniya
and the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka are the only government universities
which provide the four year special degree in Chinese language. Chinese language is
rich with a large amount of various phrases and expressions of socio-cultural
backgrounds. Chinese idioms could be identified as some of the key components of
such phrases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of Chinese idioms by
Chinese language special students of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka and
to bring forth pedagogical implications governing the teaching of Chinese idioms. A
questionnaire and worksheet were distributed among 36 students in order to
collect primary data. Secondary data were collected through extensive reference of
relevant research articles, books, HSK mock test materials, the Advanced Level
Chinese syllabus and websites published in both China and Sri Lanka. 24 idioms
were tested in the worksheet under five questions representing five levels in order
to test the knowledge of idioms of students. Idioms taught in the translation course
unit and commonly used idioms were used in order to create questions in the
worksheet. The study has identified that although students have obtained some
knowledge of idioms taught in the class, it is not enough for a student who reads for
a special degree in Chinese language. Furthermore, students have recognized
idioms as a sentence but not as a phrase with cultural and historical values. Major
suggestions the researcher has brought were making more study materials
available for students, including idiom stories for comprehension passages, show
cartoons related to idioms within the classroom in order to improve idiom
knowledge of students and delivering more opportunities for students to interact
with native speakers besides the classroom.
