It’s a piece of cake … or is it?

Idioms are one of the trickiest parts of a language. While native speakers use them “off the cuff,” and many teachers say that if you use them, ‘your English will sound more English’, most of them are “double Dutch” to students unless they grab a dictionary.

The “bottom line” is that we teachers need to introduce our students to these terms as they are likely to appear in reading activities, questions and daily. Although it is uncommon for ESL students to use them comfortably and effectively, if we choose to not teach them idioms, they’ll be missing an important cultural element of the language they strive to speak fluently.

Here are some ideas to make teaching and learning idioms “a piece of cake”:

1. Keep it concise. It might be test to teach only a few at a time so students can learn and practice them. Choose idioms that may be easily grouped., like idioms with animals or parts of the body, and only between five and eight from any category. Avoid overwhelming students with an extensive list, ensuring focused learning and retention. With low level classes, maybe including one or two with a list of more conventional vocabulary words makes them easier to study, review, and test.
2. Careful with register! Make sure students understand that idioms are informal and usually used in spoken English, and rarely in written form, with some exceptions.
3.  Context is key. Do not teach the idiom as an isolated bit of language; rather, show how it “fits in” with larger meanings. By embedding idioms within relatable narratives and real-life scenarios, we provide a scaffold for understanding their meanings and usage.
4. Use visual aids. It can be fun to show pictures of what the idiom literally means, especially if it involves unfamiliar objects or interesting animals. A good comic strip can show how absurd the literal translation is, and that may actually help students remember the exact words as they negotiate its meaning.
5. Students create conversations using idioms. To ensure that students not only understand idioms, but also learn to use them, present idiom examples in in simple conversations where the meaning of the idiom is clear. For example, divide the class into pairs and give each pair one or two idioms to work with. Ask them to write a conversation and use this idiom in it. More advanced students may have a selection of 5 – 8 idioms and work in groups to create a mini-play using as many of the idioms as possible.
6. Practice idioms with games and puzzles. Dictionary games, crosswords created by the students, writing captions for comic strips or cartoons or drawing a cartoon to illustrate an idiom are fun activities for all ages and levels. Here is a very simple and popular game that can be used both for idioms and vocabulary work in general. In pairs or groups of three, students choose a few idioms and write three explanations for each, only one of which is correct. When they have finished, each group takes turns to read their idiom and the definitions. The other groups have to decide which definition is the real one.
7. Use real life, authentic material whenever possible. Showcase idiomatic usage across media platforms, from songs to advertisements. Authentic materials offer invaluable insight into idiomatic expressions in contemporary contexts. All you have to do is Google an idiom, and you’ll find plenty of sources.
8. Idiom of the Day: Introduce a new idiom to students each day and explore its meaning, usage, and context together. For instance, you might discuss the idiom “to put you in the picture” and then encourage students to share situations where they might use this expression.
9. Idiom Match-Up: Provide students with a list of idiomatic expressions and their meanings. Challenge them to match the idioms with their correct definitions. This activity promotes critical thinking and reinforces understanding of idiomatic language.
10. Idiom Journals: Encourage students to keep a journal where they can write down new idioms they encounter, along with their meanings and examples of usage. This ongoing practice helps students internalize idiomatic language and expands their repertoire of expressions.

By embracing idioms as integral facets of language learning, we empower our students to navigate the complexities of English with confidence and fluency.

Happy teaching!