Securing strategic input for L2 learners: Constructions with Russian motion verbs

Abstract

This article shows how constructional and usage-based approaches to linguistics can be used to identify strategic input for L2 learners, i.e. input that reflects high frequency patterns in the target language. We suggest a methodology combining constructional and grammatical profiles, and argue that this methodology enables us to identify the most relevant morphological and syntactic constructions, and in addition makes it possible to pinpoint the grammatical forms that are most characteristic of each construction. Our argument is based on a case study of Russian verbs of motion, so in addition to implications for L2 instruction in general, our study also has consequences for how we teach Russian motion verbs.