If you’ve ever taught English to students from China or other countries, you know that learning English idioms is the most difficult thing for them to learn. Most students can’t even understand how to use an English idiom properly. The good news is, with the right approach, you can help your students to learn idioms and make sure they can use them properly. Here are seven tips on how to learn American English idioms:
1. Use idioms with your students regularly. This is the best way to make sure they understand what an idiom is. If you teach English, it’s likely that you’ve come across the expression “I’ll have you know…” before. In this case, the idiom means “You should know…”. It’s used to emphasize the fact that something has been said or done. In other words, it’s a way to let people know that you know something important or that you’re telling them something important. In English, we use idioms in a similar way. You might say, “I don’t care what you say.” This would mean that you don’t care if someone says something that you don’t agree with.
2. Show them how to use idioms with examples. If you want your students to be able to use an idiom correctly, it’s best if you show them how to use it. For example, here are some examples of using the phrase “I’ll have you know” correctly: a. I’ll have you know, I’m the best at this! b. I’ll have you know, she has no manners. c. I’ll have you know, I know a thing or two about the art of the deal.
3. Teach them how to use idioms with new words. Another way to make sure that your students understand what an idiom is, is to teach them the idiom with new words. For example, if you’re teaching your students how to use the expression “I don’t care what you say,” you can start by saying, “I don’t care what you say, but…” You could also say, “I don’t care what you say, but…”. When you use a new word in this way, it makes the meaning of the sentence more clear. The new word helps your students to understand the idiom.
4. Use idioms that are similar to what they already know. When teaching your students English idioms, you want to make sure that they understand the idiom before you move on to a different one. For example, if you want your students to learn how to use the phrase “I’ll have you know,” you don’t need to teach them the expression “I’ll have you know, I’m the best at this” first. Your students already know that the expression “I’ll have you know” means the same thing. They just don’t know how to use the idiom.
5. Don’t worry about remembering the exact meaning of an idiom. If you want your students to be able to use an idiom correctly, you don’t need to remember the exact meaning of the idiom. It’s enough to make sure that they understand what an idiom is and how to use it.
6. Teach them how to use idioms in different situations. When teaching your students English idioms, you want to make sure they can use them in different situations. For example, if you’re teaching them how to use the phrase “I’ll have you know,” you could start by teaching them to use the idiom in a formal situation such as when they’re talking to a boss or a teacher. You could also use it when you’re talking about a new product or a new technology. For example, you could say, “I’ll have you know, we just got the new technology in.”
7. Don’t forget to teach them when and why they shouldn’t use idioms. Finally, remember to teach your students when and why they shouldn’t use idioms. You don’t want them to end up using an idiom incorrectly. This is something you can help them avoid. You can do this by simply asking them questions like, “Do you think that it’s okay to use an idiom in a formal situation?” or “Do you think that it’s okay to use an idiom in a business meeting?” Thanks for reading!
