ИСТИНА

The paper deals with collocations in the English language and the effectiveness of teaching them in Russian universities. The findings are drawn from a series of surveys (based on questionnaires, tests and decision making or search protocols) conducted in 2002, 2004, 2013 and 2014 in Ivanovo State and Moscow State Universities. The target groups were prospective teachers, interpreters and linguists, ranging from freshmen to graduates. The questionnaires focused on dictionary use skills, while tests assessed both search and language skills with respect to the use of collocations, mostly simulating speech production. On the basis of researches into lexicology, grammar, lexicography, teaching methodology, recommendations are provided for increasing awareness about collocations and their role in students’ language competence; enhancing dictionary use skills; improving dictionaries.