MELTA MOSCOW ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Today our students often need some idiomatic language which can be taught in a number of different ways. Here I share my experience. It unites presenting idioms in a context, a high degree of idiomatic language concentration, and practicing various genres of writing/speaking. Examples are provided below. They can be used in many ways, starting from tests end ending with imitation.

1.The Importance of Teaching Idioms /filled with idioms/

Possible assignment is to spot the idioms/reword it, etc

Essay for teachers.

I have always believed it to be an open secret that nowadays one can never do without idioms in learning a foreign language, especially at advanced levels, like English C1 and C2. In my book, idioms make up part and parcel of a language and add to its unique colouring. They are the plum of plums of a language. So I just take the necessity of learning (and in my case teaching) idioms for granted. But if you want serious arguments for teaching idioms I prefer not to beat about the bush and explain everything in plain English. Hopefully, my ideas will not leave anybody cold and nobody will ever give thumbs down to this activity.

First of all, let us agree that it is a matter of top priority to teach idioms, because using them students demonstrate linguistic competence; they get the hang of language and do not scratch the surface but get to the bottom. They feel the subtlety and nuances of language and learn the ropes of fully expressing themselves. It is a matter of life and death for language learner.

It is a must to fall over oneself and spare no effort in teaching idioms for students to feel at home in a language, be in their element and know the language like the palm of their hand. If teachers and students realize this, they will be on the beam. The communicative role of knowing idioms cannot be overestimated. It is worth exploring every avenue and leaving no stone untouched in mastering a language, moving heaven and earth. This will enable one not merely to keep his/her head above water but hit the jackpot in language usage and make it A1. Otherwise, the danger is to do wool-gathering and be a low man on the totem pole in any activity. The plans and dreams might go to pot, end in smoke and come to nothing in no time. This could be a bitter pill to swallow.

Teaching and learning idioms is an imperative as the process itself helps one to be always on the go and thus develop general academic skills and valuable human qualities. The process is not that easy; it is neither a bed of roses, nor a piece of cake. Sometimes both teachers and learners can see the seamy side of life or be in deep waters. We should not turn a blind eye to this. But still, they should take the bull by the horns and never say die. One ought not to get frustrated or desperate facing difficulties; it is a good idea to do things by hook or by crook, by any means, at all costs! Even if one feels butterflies in the stomach, it is useful to keep a stiff upper lip and keep one’s chin up. Unless one is able to do it, he/she will never be on a roll and have things well in hand. However, if it is crowned with success, they will have something to crow about. They will play their cards right and weather all storms. Therefore, it is highly advisable that one should not get cold feet or lose one’s nerve.

Summing up, it is vital to remember that the importance of teaching idioms – and any activity for that matter – depends on the teacher’s attitude: a sense of success and satisfaction can guarantee positive results. So let me wish my colleagues to be always able to see light in the end of the tunnel and hope for the best I do wish you good luck and keep my fingers crossed for you. Read the rest of On Teaching Idioms by Natalia S.Mikunis, EL teacher, Moscow School 1208 »