Do you think learning idioms can pave the way for better learning for the students?
14 answers from our tutors
Best answer
Besides, not all idioms are equally important or common in language, another reason why students shouldn't memorize them indiscriminately. I've seen so many students confused about the basic facts of languag and making slow progress in their learning process, and still pushing hard to memorize idiomatic expressions like "raining cats and dogs", "the early bird catches the worm" and so on. My advice is first nail the basics and the you build on that. It helps if one understands what idioms are and what they are not. They are not a matter of grammar but a matter of meaning. Often the same combination of words may or may not constitute an idiom, depending on the meaning we assign to it. "Get back to" can be interpreted literally as in: "What time did you get back to the hotel?" or idiomatically, meaning to "respond" as in : "I'll get back to you in a little while."
Idioms make a language come alive by adding colour. However to memorize them willy-nilly will lead to confusion. Take your time to learn, remember the idiom, its meaning and most importantly, the context in which it is used.
Yes, using these can be great for building confidence when speaking in English, expanding vocabulary and having a better understanding of the English language.
Check your English level for free
Take our quick and free test to find out your current level of English
Start test
If dont in a correct way of course but use common idioms or idiomatic speech witch is not nesecery idioms but rather on how to solve idioms through critical thinking.
Business idioms are important, keep you eye on the ball, ball park figure, Cut to the chase,, these are important,, especially when on phone calls or in meetings and they are used.. They can't go around wondering what was really said in the meeting.. and the fear is real with entering the English business world. They want to understand, I have them learn to understand them and then only use the ones applicable to their niche.
Most definitely, although idioms can be challenging to learn at first, mastering them can be an important step towards achieving fluency in English.
Yes, they present universal truths, or at least widely accepted norms in society. They help define our world view.
Yes. The use of idioms sounds native speaker. The person who is using them may create a good impact over the listener than the person who is just using plain language.
yes, it will really improve and expand your vocabulary.
Most definitely... Especially if the student wants to be a native English speaker and they allow creative juices to flow because they enhance critical thinking.
- DaniloTeaching English linguistics
Idioms are sort of frills that are sprinkled across the language but they are by no means a central feature of any language, including English. Contrary to what is often believed, they are not so common in speech or writing, even with the verbal idioms included in the count. Putting them at the center of focus in the learning process is a major mistake. Memorizing idioms is no different from memorizing single words - of course it is good to memorize new vocabulary, as far is it goes. What is not good is when one does it randomly, without being to tell apart different forms of idioms and understand their place in language. Memorizing is not learning, and trying to randomly memorize everything that comes your way is sort of like trying to soak up the ocean with a sponge.
Other student questions
- How can we run a successful business English meeting with our foreign clients?
What strategies can we implement to ensure our Business English meetings with foreign clients are engaging and effective?
- Can you share your experience how you teach students conditionals?
What kind of method do you use to explain clearly each conditional for students? Do you provide some examples from real life and how you do it? Thank you!
Best answer
Tsebo Lucia Lehloa
The best approach is to expose students to the what conditionals are through explanation. Explain all the types of conditionals providing examples for each. Then the details of the structure of each type of conditionals would better come last, then strengthen understanding by having the student produce written and spoken language. Lastly, expose them to more reading and real life listening examples regarding this, sometimesas homework. To gauge their understanding of the structure, give fill in exercises.
- Could you explain me, please, when I need to use 0,1,2,3 and mixed conditionals? Thank you!
Can you provide examples?
Best answer
1. 0 (zero) conditional is general truth 2. First conditional (one) Real, possible future conditions 3. Second conditional,Hypothetical or unlikely future or present situation. 4. Third condition is hypothetical past situation with no real outcome 5.Mixed conditional consists of past conditions with present consequences
