Cebu International EFL Conference

Abstract of paper

Author
Dr. Seah Thian Ming Terence 
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
Graduate School of Global Studies
Japan

Title
“Teaching Basic Verbs to Japanese Adults Using the Core Image Method”

Abstract

     Basic verbs such as “go”, “come”, “take”, and “have” not only have several entries for meaning in a dictionary, but they are also combined with a variety of participles, prepositions and nouns to form idiomatic expressions. Therefore, contrary to the nomenclature, basic verbs can sometimes be difficult for learners of ESL to master. The core image is a technique proposed by Shigenori Tanaka (1990) in “Ninchi imiron: Eigo doshino Tagino Kozo” to help students visualize the most fundamental meaning of a word and its application extends beyond verbs to other parts of speech as well.

In this presentation, the use of the core image method to enable learners to first acquire the basic meaning of each of these verbs through a cognitive recognition of the verb’s core image, and subsequently, applying this to the explanation of idioms will be explained.