STS 22 イディオムと自然な表現

This lesson builds on STS 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.

2. To be honest... should be said as one linked phrase: /t'bi-ON-ist/. This was used in STS 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.

3. 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. 

4. 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!

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

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.