A CASE-BASED LEARNING APPROACH TO DEVELOPING IDIOMATIC COMPETENCE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING

This paper presents a theoretical qualitative examination of the function of case-based learning in fostering idiomatic competence within English language instruction. Idiomatic expressions represent a crucial component of natural and authentic language use; however, they are often marginalized in English language curricula and treated as optional lexical items. Drawing on theories of communicative competence, phraseology, and contextualized learning, the study argues that case-based learning provides a pedagogically sound framework for integrating idioms into meaningful communicative contexts. The article examines the conceptual foundations of idiomatic competence and highlights the pedagogical potential of case-based learning as an effective approach to promoting idiomatic awareness, contextual understanding, and the use of functional language.