Communication Strategies 22 Specific skills: Idioms and natural expressions

girls hiking forest path

Be natural

Image Credit
MaBraS via Pixabay

Using a couple of natural expressions is an easy way to seem fluent. Be careful to use them with natural pacing and in the right context—this lesson will show you how. 

Introduction
  • What are the benefits of using idioms?
  • What are the risks of using them? 
  • The benefit of using idioms is that it's a very quick way to seem native-level. Using an idiom correctly makes a great first impression and shows that you are capable of native-level speech. 
  • The risk is that they must be said smoothly and correctly. It's a bit of a high-wire act, because like any trick, if you pull it off, it's very impressive. If you don't, then it's quite disappointing. 
Warm Up

What are some idioms you understand when you hear them? What idioms have you actually used before?

This may be a very short warm-up if the student doesn't know or use any idioms. If so, then this is a great lesson for them. 

If your student has some ideas about idioms, then check to see if they are using them correctly and saying them naturally. 

Language

Look at the idioms and phrases below, and practice saying them naturally. Decide if it suits your speaking style, and think of a time you can use it: 

  1. Well, off the top of my head, I'd say... 
  2. To be honest... 
  3. In a nutshell...
  4. The sky's the limit!
  5. (It's a) win-win situation.
  6. Off the cuff...
  7. It's not rocket science.
  8. Let me mull (it/that) over...

This lesson builds on CS 8 Rhythm and intonation.

Instructions

Look briefly at each phrase:

  • Give the definition and the example.
  • Help your student make some original sentences with the phrase, using their own context.
  • The student will have a chance to give full answers to the example questions in the Practice section. For now, focus on the original sentences.

NOTE: Your student should not practice using each of these exhaustively unless they want to. Overloading students with idioms can be demotivating.

Phrases

  1. Off the top of my head is for answers that you have not thought deeply about. This is especially useful for complex or abstract questions. You can start quickly and make a claim. Students do not need to be experts on everything in their test!
  • Example:

Q. Is it important to teach children to help others? If so, how can we do that? If not, why not?
A. Well, off the top of my head, I'd say it's very important.

  1. To be honest... should be said as one linked phrase: /t'bi-YON-ist/. This was used in CS 8, so it's a known phrase. It's here just to boost motivation and make sure students are actually using it. Remember, it's usually used to pad negative language. 
  • Example:

Q. What factors should be taken into account when making advertisements?
A. Well, to be honest, I'm no expert.

  1. In a nutshell is used to finish simply or to express an idea in short, simple language. 
  • Example:

Q. If you were giving advice to a young person about useful subjects to study in school, what would you recommend?
A. ...so, in a nutshell, I'd say that a mix of mathematics and humanities is the best plan. 

  1. The sky's the limit! is used for infinite potential. Frequently used with the phrase, "When it comes to [something], the sky's the limit!"
  • Example:

Q. Describe an area of science that you are interested in.
A. So, genetics is really important. If we can decode more genome sequences, well, the sky's the limit!

  1. A win-win situation is when both sides benefit equally. Most students should be familiar with this already. 
  • Example:

Q. What makes a pleasant shopping experience?
A. So when a store has good service, I want to shop there a lot, which means more profit for them. It's a win-win situation.

  1. Off the cuff means basically the same as "off the top of my head". 
  • Example:

Q. How does the digital revolution compare with the industrial revolution?
A. Hm, off the cuff, I'd say it's changing more quickly.

  1. It's not rocket science means it's simple. 
  • Example:

Q, Should companies be allowed to pollute as much as they want?
A. Of course not! If companies don't stop polluting, the environment will keep getting worse. It's not rocket science.

  1. Mull over means to think deeply for some time. 
  • Example:

Q. Is humanity headed in the right or wrong direction?
A. Wow, that's a tough question. Let me mull it over...

NOTE: The idiom mull over is often separated by a noun or pronoun, e.g., "Let me mull it over".

Make sure your student says the idioms naturally. If not, you can ask them to repeat them after you until they sound natural. Then have them say the phrase 3 times themselves. Or, try this strategy. Close your mouth and say the phrases. That way, the pitch, volume and word length are very clear.

Practice

Now that you've chosen some idioms to use, practice using them in full answers.