Materials | Computers with Internet connection, projector, slips of paper with idioms (see below), audio/video taping equipment (optional)Overview | What do idioms and euphemisms tell us about our language and culture? What challenges do non-native English learners face as they try to master the English language? In this lesson, students consider the difficulties that English presents for the language learner. They then interview non-native English-language learners to learn about these struggles and to develop a deeper notion of their own linguistic challenges and how culture infuses language.
Warm-up | As students enter the room, hand each student or pair an idiom on a piece of paper. Ask students to imagine that they are teaching English to non-English speakers and need to explain the meaning and common usage of the idiom in an understandable way. (They might also include a drawing.) Give students an upbeat and humorous example, such as “You want a piece of me?” or “Why are you so out to lunch?”
Here is a list of common idioms to use:
- a fish out of water
- a fresh pair of eyes
- a piece of cake
- a chip on your shoulder
- all your eggs in one basket
- the ball’s in your court
- beat around the bush
- between a rock and a hard place
- air your dirty laundry
- cut me some slack
- dead as a door nail
- fat chance
- fight tooth and nail
- hard of hearing
- have your cake and eat it too
- heads will roll
- jump the gun
- just in time
- make a killing
- make a living
- mean business
- not all there
- pay attention
- pay your dues
- shoot the breeze
- shoot from the hip
- take a stand
- take it easy
- under pressure
- up for sale
- virtual reality
- wait for the other shoe to drop
- watch your language
- x marks the spot
- you’re on
- your turn
Others can be found on the related sites listed below.
