English teaching resources: Idioms

English level: A1

Objective: Trying to understand some frequently used idioms in English writing and speaking.

Introduction

When teaching English abroad, you’ll notice that most students at a high level are quite interested in idioms and would like to know their exact meaning.

You can have a lot of fun translating the idioms word-for-word into the student’s mother tongue before giving them the meaning and use. This technique is particularly useful when teaching English idioms effectively, as it helps learners recognise the difference between literal and figurative language while making the lesson more memorable and engaging.

Some idioms have equivalents in the students’ mother tongue.

Activity 1

Give the students this list of idioms and have them translate them literally. Then they should try to find the equivalent expression in their mother tongue.

I caught the waiter’s eye.

I’m up to my ears in work.

I couldn’t keep a straight face.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

You ought to let your hair down.

Don’t lose your head!

Try not to lose heart.

I’m pulling your leg.

He’s a pain in the neck.

It was on the tip of my tongue.

Activity 2: Produce

Give the students a few idioms each (2 or 3) and tell them to write a short text (only a few sentences) where each idiom is used.

Have them read their texts aloud. Comment on their sentences, have a lot of fun and correct any misunderstandings.

Activity 3: Another practice activity

Tell the students to rearrange the following idioms to fit the definitions alongside.

Activity 4: Fun exercise

Have the students think of some idioms in their language which can’t be directly be translated into English.