An ELL who struggles with the phrase "run of the mill" needs assistance with which component?

The phrase "run of the mill" is an idiomatic expression, meaning something that is average or typical. When English Language Learners (ELLs) struggle with understanding idioms, they are often grappling with the pragmatic component of language. This component pertains to the use and interpretation of language in context, particularly in understanding meanings that go beyond the literal interpretation of words.

In the case of idioms like "run of the mill," the difficulty arises not from the individual words themselves but from the cultural and contextual understanding of the phrase as a whole. This is rooted in pragmatics, which helps learners navigate interactions, infer meanings, and understand nuances in language use that are tied to social contexts and conventions. Thus, an ELL needing assistance with this phrase would benefit from support in pragmatic language skills to fully grasp its intended meaning in conversation or writing.