Why do questions about idioms often leave us "tongue-tied" in our classrooms? This book takes a look at learning and teaching idioms from two perspectives. First is a survey of recent work on learning and teaching idioms from diverse perspectives in the linguistics and educational research literature. The survey includes definitions of idioms from theoretical and pedagogical literature, focusing in particular on cognitive, cross-linguistic, and social constructionist research. Second is a summary and critique of idiom textbooks and classroom practices from around the world.

In this collection of poems, Patrick T. Randolph achieves something all too few writers are able accomplish: He conveys honest joy, and he does so deeply, convincingly, and sustainedly. The book is a true pleasure to read. -Lester Smith, president, Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets If I could bequeath one book of poetry to my grandchildren and great grandchildren, it would be Father's Philosophy by Patrick T. Randolph. Randolph's poems are written with such love and sunshine that more than one generation should have the pleasure and privilege of reading them. -Joanne Flemming, editor of Irish Stew