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TLW ~ Power English ~ Vocab Horizons ~ 8 |
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How to Make a Lesson ~ Procedures ~
1) Talk about the examples.
2) As a class, in groups, or in pairs talk about their meanings from your experience.
3) Select and answer any of the questions in your own way.
4) Take fair turns. Include as many students as possible. Endeavor to create a discussion.
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Combinations of Words: Idioms
~ Vocabulary ~ Idioms Three ~
Section One: Definition ~ In order to understand an idiom, we need to be willing to examine the creative and open side of language. Dictionaries and strict definitions often fall short. An idiom is a device used outside the literal or usual means of communication.
Context in language is at the heart of conversation. Think of context as everything in your environment when you speak with others. When people are aware of the social context and are willing to create new ways of expressing ideas, idioms are mixed into our conversations. In this way, idioms can make conversation interesting.
Section Two: Examples ~ Discuss the content:
1) My spouse thinks the internet is difficult, but it’s not rocket science. not that difficult
2) Some people compose computer code, but I can’t wrap my head around it. to understand something complicated
3) I lost my job and my spouse last week. It was the perfect storm. the worst possible situation
4) We remodeled our kitchen and bathroom. It cost an arm and a leg. very expensive
5) When my friends play the devil’s advocate, I know they are joking with me. to argue the opposite of your opinion for a reaction
6) My friends rained on my parade after they drank too much at my wedding. to spoil something
7) I want to save for a rainy day, but I can’t seem to make enough money. to save up for the future
~ Match the idioms (numbers) with their meanings on the right (letters):
1) not rocket science
2) wrap your head around something
3) a perfect storm
4) costs an arm and a leg
5) play the devil's advocate
6) rain on someone's parade
7) save up for a rainy day
Section Three: Examples ~ Review the content (related to 1~7 on the previous page)
1) My spouse thinks the internet is difficult, but it’s not rocket science.
2) Some people compose computer code, but I can’t wrap my head around it.
3) I lost my job and my spouse last week. It was the perfect storm.
4) We remodeled our kitchen and bathroom. It cost an arm and a leg.
5) When my friends play the devil’s advocate, I know they are joking with me.
6) My friends rained on my parade after they drank too much at my wedding.
7) I want to save for a rainy day, but I can’t seem to make enough money.
Section Three: Vocabulary ~ Idioms Three ~ Questions ~
Now: Answer the questions above according to your own experience
Next: Make your own questions related to the idioms and examples presented
1) What is rocket science to you? Why do you think so? Tell. (What is difficult for you but not for other people? Why do you think so?)
2) What can’t you wrap your mind around? Explain. (What can’t you understand to the point that it bothers you? Explain.)
3) In your life, what was your perfect storm? Tell the tale. (In your life, what was your worst set of circumstances? Tell the tale.)
4) What costs an arm and a leg these days? How much is it? (What kind of things or activities are very expensive these days?)
5) Do you ever play the devil’s advocate? Who with? Tell. (Do you ever argue the opposite side of your opinion to get a reaction? Tell.)
6) How often does someone rain on your parade? What do you usually do about it? How often does someone put you in a bad mood? How do you react?)
7) Are you saving up for a rainy day? Why? What do you want to buy? (Are you saving money for something in the future? What for?)
~ Vocabulary ~ Idioms Four ~
Section One: Definition ~
Idioms are used a lot in everyday conversations and can help you sound more like a native speaker. On the other hand, if you use idioms just to sound like a native speaker, you may sound idiotic. The words idiom and idiot come from the same root: "idios" which in ancient Greek meant “private”.
Section Two: Examples ~ Discuss the content
1) Sometimes my parents and I don’t see eye to eye, but we get along anyway. to agree with someone
2) When I first fell in love, I was on cloud nine, but it didn’t last very long. very happy and content
3) When it comes to my favorite movie or book, I’m always on the fence. can’t make a decision/can’t make up your mind
4) My grandma is fit as a fiddle. I want to know her secret to good health. in good health
5) I burned my bridges after I left my last job. Now I’m regretting it. to destroy one's relationships or opportunities
6) Everyone was uncomfortable after my dad died. There was an elephant in the room. the problem or issue people are avoiding
7) I really wanted to meet my friend for lunch, but I had to take a rain check. to postpone a plan or appointment
~ Match the idioms (numbers) with their meanings on the right (letters):
1) see eye to eye
2) on cloud nine
3) on the fence
4) fit as a fiddle
5) burn one’s bridges
6) the elephant in the room
7) take a rain check
Section Three: Examples ~ Review the content (related to 1~7 on the previous page)
1) Sometimes my parents and I don’t see eye to eye, but we get along anyway.
2) When I first fell in love, I was on cloud nine, but it didn’t last very long.
3) When it comes to my favorite movie or book, I’m always on the fence.
4) My grandma is fit as a fiddle. I want to know her secret to good health
5) I burned my bridges after I left my last job. Now I’m regretting it.
6) Everyone was uncomfortable after my dad died. There was an elephant in the room.
7) I really wanted to meet my friend for lunch, but I had to take a rain check. Section Three: Vocabulary ~ Idioms Four ~ Questions ~
Now: Answer the questions above according to your own experience
Next: Make your own questions related to the idioms and examples presented
1) When you don’t see eye to eye with a friend, how do you resolve your differences? (When you don’t agree with a friend, do you agree to disagree, or have a conflict?)
2) When was the last time or best time you were on cloud nine? Tell. (When was the last time or best time you felt happy and content? Tell.)
3) How often are you on the fence about anything? Do you make up your mind easily? (How often are you in a state of indecision? Do you consider it a problem?
4) Have you ever been fit as a fiddle? Are you fit as a fiddle now? Explain. (Have you ever been in really good health? How about these days? Explain.)
5) Do you think we sometimes need to burn our bridges? In what circumstances? (Have you ever cut corners at work, in school, or other places? Tell.)
6) If you were with your family/in-laws, what would be the elephant in the room? (If you were with your family/in-laws, what issue would you be avoiding?)
7) Have you ever taken a rain check because you didn’t want to meet someone? Why? (Have you ever postponed a plan because you didn’t want to meet someone? Why?)
Links: 1) Wiki idioms 2) English Idioms 3) Common Proverbs 4) World Proverbs
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A) the worst possible situation
B) to argue the opposite of your opinion for a reaction
C) to spoil something
D) not that difficult
E) to save up for the future
F) to understand something complicated
G) very expensive
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A) can’t make a decision/can’t make up your mind
B) to destroy one's relationships or opportunities
C) the problem or issue people are avoiding
D) agree with someone
E) postpone a plan or appointment
F) very happy and content
G) in good health
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