Translation Method to Acquire the Idiomatic Expressions of the Passive Voice

Translation Method to Acquire the Idiomatic Expressions of the Passive Voice

Translation method has been applied to English as Foreign Language (EFL) learners for various practices, including extended writing, learning grammar structures, and also for checking self-study assignments. Previous studies showed that translation-method-based exercises were effective for acquiring passive voice and for extended compositions requiring passive voice structures. Then the question arose for passive voice with the idiomatic use of the prepositions other than ‘by’. Students were often confused with the different prepositions used in such idiomatic expressions and ended up just simply memorizing. Thus, this paper aims to find out whether the translation method could be effective for acquiring the idiomatic use of the preposition other than ‘by’. Self-study using the translated method was examined with participant survey with opinions on the translation method. Out of the valid answers, more than 80% of the participants preferred the new translation method. Their answers note that the new method was able to expose them to new words or expressions that they will usually not use for their composition. With the students’ opinion and positive feedback on the translation method, further practice and tasks should be given to the students for further examination.