Sabtu, 29 Juni 2013
Best Kids Books for Teaching Idioms
Teaching
idioms can be a lot of fun. Kids get a kick out of learning about the
back story about how they came about and the' ways that people from
different cultures and
time periods describe events and people in their
environment. The following
books are
great sources of common idioms for kids in elementary and middle
school. The
books below generally
fall into two categories: those that focus on teaching funny
literal interpretations of the idioms and those that focus on teaching
the actual meanings of idioms. Both are great resources for
teaching
idioms in the classroom (since even the silly books do
devote a portion of their books to explaining the meaning of the
idioms.) There
are many children's
books that play on literal translations of idioms, but in our opinion,
Bloch's
clever and unique
trio of books (below) are 'the best thing since sliced bread.'
Tips on Learning Idiom
1) If you see an idiom in context i.e., in a magazine, newspaper
or a book, try to understand the context and this will help you with
the idiom. For example: my boss was really angry: shouting and
screaming until he tripped and fell over the table. Everyone laughed
and I couldn’t keep a straight face.
2) Keep an ‘Idioms’ diary. Every time you hear an idiom or read one, write it down but then make sure that you can look it up at home in a dictionary (English dictionary for learners) and to write it in a sentence otherwise you will forget the meaning.
3) A lot of idioms can be found in songs. If you can download the lyrics, have a look at the words and find the idioms – remember an idiom does not make sense if you translate every word but more that you see it as a whole expression.
4) Try to see the idiom in your mind. Can you see the image? Many idioms are made of images. Try to imagine them and this will help you remember them by seeing the pictures in your mind.
5) Use the idioms you have learnt in everyday life. Should you be in a certain situation then don’t be afraid to use one either in writing or in speaking.
Don’t forget: SPEAK SPEAK SPEAK, WRITE WRITE WRITE, READ READ READ!
2) Keep an ‘Idioms’ diary. Every time you hear an idiom or read one, write it down but then make sure that you can look it up at home in a dictionary (English dictionary for learners) and to write it in a sentence otherwise you will forget the meaning.
3) A lot of idioms can be found in songs. If you can download the lyrics, have a look at the words and find the idioms – remember an idiom does not make sense if you translate every word but more that you see it as a whole expression.
4) Try to see the idiom in your mind. Can you see the image? Many idioms are made of images. Try to imagine them and this will help you remember them by seeing the pictures in your mind.
5) Use the idioms you have learnt in everyday life. Should you be in a certain situation then don’t be afraid to use one either in writing or in speaking.
Don’t forget: SPEAK SPEAK SPEAK, WRITE WRITE WRITE, READ READ READ!
Advantages and Disadvantages of Idiom
Advantages:
1) Idioms are like figures of speech in poetry. They help us to understand. " I was so nervous that I had butterflies in my stomach."
2) Idioms , like poetry, can express a great deal in very few words as in the response to this question. "Are you sure it is okay if we come along with you to that party?" "Sure, the more, the merrier!"
3) Idioms, like poetic devices, can paint a picture for us. "The newcomer was as uncomfortable as a fish out of water."
4) Sometimes the idioms speakers use give clues about their geographic, social, or occupational background.
That salesman is full of more lies than an Irishman is full of blarney.
Disadvantages:
1) Having taught both English and German as second languages, I know what a stumbling block idioms can be. How is the English learner to guess that the literal meaning of "He kicked the bucket?" has nothing to do with the idiomatic meaning of he died? And when the English speaker translates the German idiom literally into "I'll take you around the corner." s/he may think it is someone being friendly to a tourist rather than issuing a death threat.
2) Even native speakers of the same language but of different generations can have communication problems because of idioms. Ask any grandparent how many times s/he has had to rephrase something for a grandchild who misunderstood a sentence containing an idiom in his or her own first language because the idiom was outdated?
3) Peers from different parts of the country may not understand each other because of unfamiliarity with non-local idioms. When my family had just moved from the Chicago are to California in 1960, my sister, upon seeing some hideous outfit, remarked to a group of newly-made girlfriends, "I wouldn't wear that to a dogfight." My sister was quite surprised when the girls burst into laughter and could not stop. They had never heard this idiom, which was so common to her that she did not stop to picture the silly image.
4) Teaching literature becomes more difficult because of idioms because even the teacher may have to guess at the meaning of antiquated idioms if no research is available.
1) Idioms are like figures of speech in poetry. They help us to understand. " I was so nervous that I had butterflies in my stomach."
2) Idioms , like poetry, can express a great deal in very few words as in the response to this question. "Are you sure it is okay if we come along with you to that party?" "Sure, the more, the merrier!"
3) Idioms, like poetic devices, can paint a picture for us. "The newcomer was as uncomfortable as a fish out of water."
4) Sometimes the idioms speakers use give clues about their geographic, social, or occupational background.
That salesman is full of more lies than an Irishman is full of blarney.
Disadvantages:
1) Having taught both English and German as second languages, I know what a stumbling block idioms can be. How is the English learner to guess that the literal meaning of "He kicked the bucket?" has nothing to do with the idiomatic meaning of he died? And when the English speaker translates the German idiom literally into "I'll take you around the corner." s/he may think it is someone being friendly to a tourist rather than issuing a death threat.
2) Even native speakers of the same language but of different generations can have communication problems because of idioms. Ask any grandparent how many times s/he has had to rephrase something for a grandchild who misunderstood a sentence containing an idiom in his or her own first language because the idiom was outdated?
3) Peers from different parts of the country may not understand each other because of unfamiliarity with non-local idioms. When my family had just moved from the Chicago are to California in 1960, my sister, upon seeing some hideous outfit, remarked to a group of newly-made girlfriends, "I wouldn't wear that to a dogfight." My sister was quite surprised when the girls burst into laughter and could not stop. They had never heard this idiom, which was so common to her that she did not stop to picture the silly image.
4) Teaching literature becomes more difficult because of idioms because even the teacher may have to guess at the meaning of antiquated idioms if no research is available.
Tips on Teaching Idiom
1. Amount: Not Too Many At Once
Planning an idiom filled lesson may not be the best approach to introducing this topic. Idioms are complex and difficult not only to understand but also to explain so consider introducing only a small number, maybe three to five, at a time. You can do this by including them in your usual lessons (see our Idiom Worksheets section for free lesson materials on this topic). This approach will give you enough time to cover them thoroughly and allow students sufficient practice time without overwhelming them.
2. Themes: Related To Your Topic
You can include idioms in your normal lessons by introducing them thematically. If they are related to the topic you are studying, students will have an easier time remembering them and will be familiar with the vocabulary you are using. When talking about pets, for instance, you can introduce idioms such as “work like a dog” and “dog tired” which are related to the topic and will give students something to discuss. What makes idioms so interesting is that they are a unique combination of words that have completely different meanings from the individual words themselves.
3. Level: Intermediate+
Many teachers do not introduce idioms to students who are not at the advanced level. In some ways this seems like a good approach because idioms are complex and have different meanings than their words alone suggest. However, idioms do not have to be just for advanced students, you can introduce them earlier as long as you choose ones that are appropriate for your students. Obviously beginners may not have the vocabulary and comprehension skills to learn certain idioms however, intermediate students could definitely benefit from learning about this aspect of the English language. Using the two examples above, you can even discuss how these phrases may have been created. Do your students think that dogs work really hard or get exceptionally tired? Maybe or maybe not but it is an interesting thought.
4. Comprehension: Make Sure They Understand The Individual Words First
Students have to know or understand the individual words of an idiom before understanding the idiom itself. Avoid introducing idioms which use new vocabulary words and be able to simplify the meaning of idioms. You could say, for instance, that “work like a dog” means to work very hard. Students will have to know all the words you use in your explanation as well so use the simplest language you can. Even with advanced learners, simplifying idioms to their basic meanings make them easier to understand and learn.
5. Practice: Ask And Answer
Students need to practice not just using idioms in sentences but also responding to their use and understanding their meaning. For instance, students may be able to create a lot of sentences using the phrase “morning, noon, and night” by saying “I study morning, noon, and night.” and simply changing the verb to make more sentences. To give students practice hearing the idioms used, ask them questions using idioms. By asking questions, you can also prompt students to use idioms correctly. For this example say “What is something you do morning, noon, and night?” Students should also be asked to identify situations that best demonstrate the meaning of idioms. For this activity simply prepare two or three sentences that do not use idioms and ask students to choose the one that best matches the meaning of the idiom they are learning. Using this example again, the correct answer might be “My father goes to work early in the morning and does not even get home until nine in the evening.” This gives students more time to think about what the idiom means. It is important to do practice exercises that test the students’ ability to use idioms as well as understand them.
Planning an idiom filled lesson may not be the best approach to introducing this topic. Idioms are complex and difficult not only to understand but also to explain so consider introducing only a small number, maybe three to five, at a time. You can do this by including them in your usual lessons (see our Idiom Worksheets section for free lesson materials on this topic). This approach will give you enough time to cover them thoroughly and allow students sufficient practice time without overwhelming them.
2. Themes: Related To Your Topic
You can include idioms in your normal lessons by introducing them thematically. If they are related to the topic you are studying, students will have an easier time remembering them and will be familiar with the vocabulary you are using. When talking about pets, for instance, you can introduce idioms such as “work like a dog” and “dog tired” which are related to the topic and will give students something to discuss. What makes idioms so interesting is that they are a unique combination of words that have completely different meanings from the individual words themselves.
3. Level: Intermediate+
Many teachers do not introduce idioms to students who are not at the advanced level. In some ways this seems like a good approach because idioms are complex and have different meanings than their words alone suggest. However, idioms do not have to be just for advanced students, you can introduce them earlier as long as you choose ones that are appropriate for your students. Obviously beginners may not have the vocabulary and comprehension skills to learn certain idioms however, intermediate students could definitely benefit from learning about this aspect of the English language. Using the two examples above, you can even discuss how these phrases may have been created. Do your students think that dogs work really hard or get exceptionally tired? Maybe or maybe not but it is an interesting thought.
4. Comprehension: Make Sure They Understand The Individual Words First
Students have to know or understand the individual words of an idiom before understanding the idiom itself. Avoid introducing idioms which use new vocabulary words and be able to simplify the meaning of idioms. You could say, for instance, that “work like a dog” means to work very hard. Students will have to know all the words you use in your explanation as well so use the simplest language you can. Even with advanced learners, simplifying idioms to their basic meanings make them easier to understand and learn.
5. Practice: Ask And Answer
Students need to practice not just using idioms in sentences but also responding to their use and understanding their meaning. For instance, students may be able to create a lot of sentences using the phrase “morning, noon, and night” by saying “I study morning, noon, and night.” and simply changing the verb to make more sentences. To give students practice hearing the idioms used, ask them questions using idioms. By asking questions, you can also prompt students to use idioms correctly. For this example say “What is something you do morning, noon, and night?” Students should also be asked to identify situations that best demonstrate the meaning of idioms. For this activity simply prepare two or three sentences that do not use idioms and ask students to choose the one that best matches the meaning of the idiom they are learning. Using this example again, the correct answer might be “My father goes to work early in the morning and does not even get home until nine in the evening.” This gives students more time to think about what the idiom means. It is important to do practice exercises that test the students’ ability to use idioms as well as understand them.
Jumat, 28 Juni 2013
10 water idioms for difficult situations
In English there are a number of idioms using the word water.
As I hope you know, water's very important: we use it for drinking,
washing and splashing about in. Most importantly, it's used to make the
ice which I put in my favourite drink - whiskey. On the other hand,
water's also dangerous: for example, we're careful to watch young
children when they play near rivers or the sea and, of course, giant
killer-sharks, like Jaws, live in water! Water idioms often
highlight the dangerous or difficult side of our watery friend. Here are
10 water idioms which can help you describe difficult situations:
To be in deep water
To be in a difficult situation which is hard to deal with:
"I'll be in deep water unless I pass that exam. Without a pass, I won't be able to get into university."
To be in hot water
very similar to deep water (above), but with an emphasis on being punished for your actions:
"I'm going to be in hot water with my boss when he finds out that I lost our client's account."
To be out depth
To be in a situation that is too difficult for you to deal with:
"I didn't understand anything they were talking about at the meeting; I was totally out of my depth."
To be like a fish out of water
To feel awkward / uncomfortable because you are in an situation which you have not experienced before:
"I grew up in the countryside so when I moved to the city I felt like a fish out of water."
To pour cold water on something
To be critical of a plan that others thought was exciting or great:
"I really don't want to pour cold water on your plan, but I really don't think it will work."
To blow something out of the water
To defeat someone or something that you are competing with, or to achieve much more than they do:
"Microsoft are confident that their new software will blow all other companys' software out of the water."
Water under the bridge
Something is water under the bridge when it belongs in the past isn't important or troubling any more:
"I fought with my brother once over a woman we both liked, but it's all water under the bridge now."
Does not hold water
When something does not hold water it seems that it an idea, plan or statement is wrong or false:
"The reason she gave for being late for class didn't hold water; I'm sure she was lying."
To be dead in the water
When something is dead in the water it has stopped making any progress, it has failed and has no hope for the future:
"Since our boss left, this company has been dead in the water."
To come hell or high water
This expression means "no matter what happens":
"I don't want to work late again today. Come hell or high water, I'm leaving at 5pm."
what is proverb?
A proverb is a short saying or sentence that is generally
known by many people. The saying usually contains words of wisdom,
truth or morality that are based on common sense or practical
experience. It is often a description of a basic rule of conduct that
all people generally follow or should follow. Proverbs can be found in
all languages.
money doesn't grow on trees - money is not easy to get and you must work hard for it
The girl's father says that money doesn't grow on trees when the girl asks him for money.
the early bird catches the worm - arriving early gives one an advantage
My boss always comes to work early because he believes that the early bird catches the worm.
the pen is mightier than the sword - writing and ideas are more powerful than the use of force
The pen is mightier than the sword and a good idea will defeat the strongest army.
money doesn't grow on trees - money is not easy to get and you must work hard for it
The girl's father says that money doesn't grow on trees when the girl asks him for money.
the early bird catches the worm - arriving early gives one an advantage
My boss always comes to work early because he believes that the early bird catches the worm.
the pen is mightier than the sword - writing and ideas are more powerful than the use of force
The pen is mightier than the sword and a good idea will defeat the strongest army.
What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb is a two-part or three-part verb and is sometimes called a compound verb. It is a combination of a verb and an adverb, a verb and a preposition, and a verb with an adverb and a preposition. It can have a literal meaning that is easy to understand because the meaning is clear from the words that are used. It can also have an idiomatic meaning which cannot easily be understood by looking at the words themselves.
Verb and Adverb (run + around)
to run around (something) - to run in a circle around something (literal meaning)The dog ran around the tree.
to run around (somewhere) - to go to various places to do something (idiomatic meaning)
I spent the day running around downtown.
Verb and Preposition (run + into)
to run into (someone or something) - to hit or crash into someone or something (literal meaning)The car ran into the truck on the busy street.
to run into (someone) - to meet someone by chance (idiomatic meaning)
I ran into my friend in a restaurant yesterday.
Verb and Adverb and Preposition (run + around + with)
to run around with (someone) - to be friends and do things with someone or with a group of people (idiomatic meaning)The boy is running around with a bad group of people.
Some idiomatic expressions are made with a phrasal verb plus some other words. These words are used in a fixed order to give an idiomatic meaning.
to run (verb) around (adverb) like a chicken with its head cut off - to run around with no purpose
I ran around like a chicken with its head cut off as I prepared for my holidays.
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a combination of words that has a meaning that is different from the meanings of the individual words themselves. It can have a literal meaning in one situation and a different idiomatic meaning in another situation. It is a phrase which does not always follow the normal rules of meaning and grammar.
To sit on the fence can literally mean that one is sitting on a fence.
I sat on the fence and watched the game.
However, the idiomatic meaning of to sit on the fence is to not clearly choose a side regarding some issue.
The politician sat on the fence and would not clearly state his opinion about the tax issue.
Many English idioms are similar to expressions in other languages and can be easy for a learner to understand. Other idioms come from older phrases which have changed over time.
To hold one's horses means to stop and wait patiently for someone or something. It comes from a time when people rode horses and would have to hold their horses while waiting for someone or something.
"Hold your horses," the man said when his friend started to leave the store.
Other idioms come from such things as sports and may require some special cultural knowledge to understand them.
To cover all of one's bases means to thoroughly prepare for or deal with a situation. It comes from the American game of baseball where you must cover or protect the bases.
I tried to cover all of my bases as I prepared for the job interview.
Structure of Idioms
Most idioms are fixed in their grammatical structure. The expression to sit on the fence cannot become to sit on a fence or to sit on the fences.Other idioms are the result of a change in grammatical structure and would generally be considered to be incorrect.
To be broken literally means that something is broken.
The lamp is broken so I cannot read my book.
To be broke is grammatically incorrect but it has the idiomatic meaning of to have no money.
I am broke and I cannot go to a movie tonight.
There can also be changes in nouns, pronouns or in the verb tenses.
I sat on the fence and did not give my opinion.
Many people are sitting on the fence and have not made a decision.
Adjectives and adverbs can also be added to an idiomatic phrase.
The politician has been sitting squarely in the middle of the fence since the election.
That is why it is sometimes difficult to isolate the actual idiomatic expression and then find it in a dictionary of idioms.
Selasa, 25 Juni 2013
10 Funny English Idioms
We get it, idioms are weird, and often have nothing to do with their
literal meaning. But here is a list of ten of the funniest English
idioms and how to use them!
1. The lights are on but nobody’s home – used to describe a stupid person
Example: She really has no clue- the lights are on but nobody’s home!
2. When pigs fly – about something that will never happen
Example: Yea, right! You will get Taylor Swift to ask you on a date when pigs fly!
3. To have Van Gogh’s ear for music – to be tone deaf (Van Gogh only had one ear!)
Example: Xavi really shouldn’t play the piano- he has Van Gogh’s ear for music.
4. To pig out – to eat a lot very quickly
Example: After the marathon, the runners pigged out at a dinner buffet.
5. Everything but the kitchen sink – almost everything has been included
Example: Maria was trying so hard to get the question right, she was throwing out everything but the kitchen sink!
6. To put a sock in it – to tell someone noisy to be quiet
Example: Jane was yelling while I was studying so I told her to put a sock in it.
7. To have a cast iron stomach – to have no problems eating or drinking anything
Example: I think I would be sick if I ate all that food, but Joe seems to have a cast iron stomach.
8. To drink like a fish – to drink heavily
Example: The group at the bar seems to being having a party and you can tell he’s the birthday boy because he is drinking like a fish!
9. Use your loaf – use your head, think smart
Example: Come on Parker, use your loaf! I know you can solve this problem!
10. Finger lickin’ good – extremely tasty
Example: My mom makes the best steak! It’s finger lickin’ good!
Are there any other weird idioms that you find funny?
1. The lights are on but nobody’s home – used to describe a stupid person
Example: She really has no clue- the lights are on but nobody’s home!
2. When pigs fly – about something that will never happen
Example: Yea, right! You will get Taylor Swift to ask you on a date when pigs fly!
3. To have Van Gogh’s ear for music – to be tone deaf (Van Gogh only had one ear!)
Example: Xavi really shouldn’t play the piano- he has Van Gogh’s ear for music.
4. To pig out – to eat a lot very quickly
Example: After the marathon, the runners pigged out at a dinner buffet.
5. Everything but the kitchen sink – almost everything has been included
Example: Maria was trying so hard to get the question right, she was throwing out everything but the kitchen sink!
6. To put a sock in it – to tell someone noisy to be quiet
Example: Jane was yelling while I was studying so I told her to put a sock in it.
7. To have a cast iron stomach – to have no problems eating or drinking anything
Example: I think I would be sick if I ate all that food, but Joe seems to have a cast iron stomach.
8. To drink like a fish – to drink heavily
Example: The group at the bar seems to being having a party and you can tell he’s the birthday boy because he is drinking like a fish!
9. Use your loaf – use your head, think smart
Example: Come on Parker, use your loaf! I know you can solve this problem!
10. Finger lickin’ good – extremely tasty
Example: My mom makes the best steak! It’s finger lickin’ good!
Are there any other weird idioms that you find funny?
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