This study addresses the lack of comprehension data in second language acquisition research by focusing on English existential there-constructions (ETCs) with a locative extension (e.g., there is an X on the Y). The post-copular noun X used in the present study consisted of two types: actual and nonsense. Participants included 40 native speakers, as well as 40 advanced and 40 intermediate Korean learners of English, who completed an online picture selection task. In one picture, X was placed on the nearby Y; in another picture, X was placed on the far Y. The choice of both pictures was the correct response because ETCs are used to describe the existence of something regardless of its distance. There was a statistically significant relationship between English proficiency and the interpretation of ETCs. However, there was no relationship between the noun type and the interpretation of ETCs. In the Korean English curriculum, the distinction between expletive there and locative there must be emphasized.

In an attempt to connect English material development and grammar teaching for the purpose of attaining communicative competence, this study looks at existential there constructions from the perspective of theoretical background and practical applications. To fulfill the pedagogical needs of the ‘There-constructions’, theoretical framework established to the present is examined and the frequency of authentic use is investigated on the ground of several corpora including non-native learner corpus. In addition, a writing task was given to Korean learners of English who were asked to describe pictures eliciting existential there related sentences and, as a result, the learners’ errors have been identified. Middle school English textbooks are, also, analyzed in light of a material evaluation checklist as a textbook, one of the main resources in EFL context, could reveal to what extent the learners are exposed to the corresponding grammar items. The study, eventually, draws some pedagogical implications and suggestions by presenting a communicative grammar teaching model as well as a material development guide to ‘There-constructions’ teaching.