Using Idioms in English

Lesson Plan: Using Idioms in English

 

 Lesson Objectives:

- Understand the meaning and usage of idioms.

- Recognize common English idioms in context.

- Use idioms appropriately in sentences.

- Enhance vocabulary and cultural understanding through idioms.

 Grade Level: B1

Materials Needed:

- Whiteboard and markers

- Printed handouts with idioms and their meanings

- Flashcards with idioms

- Short stories or paragraphs containing idioms

 

Lesson Outline:

 

 I. Introduction

   - Greeting and Warm-up: Begin with a brief discussion about idioms. Ask students if they know what an idiom is and if they can give any examples.

   - Definition: Explain that idioms are phrases or expressions that have a figurative meaning different from the literal meaning of the words.

   - Examples: Write a few common idioms on the board (e.g., "Break the ice," "A piece of cake," "Under the weather") and explain their meanings.

 

 II. Activity 1: Idiom Match-Up

   - Handout Distribution: Give students a handout with two columns: one with idioms and the other with their meanings jumbled up.

   - Pair Work: Have students work in pairs to match the idioms with their correct meanings.

   - Review: Go over the answers as a class and provide further examples to ensure understanding.

Here are seven idioms along with their definitions for the Idiom Match-Up activity:

 

 Handout for Idiom Match-Up

 

Column A: Idioms

 

1. Break the ice

2. A piece of cake

3. Under the weather

4. Cost an arm and a leg

5. Hit the nail on the head

6. Let the cat out of the bag

7. Burning the midnight oil

 

Column B: Definitions

 

A. Something that is very expensive.

B. To reveal a secret unintentionally.

C. To stay up late working or studying.

D. To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.

E. To initiate conversation in a social setting, making people feel more comfortable.

F. Something that is very easy to do.

G. Feeling ill or sick.

 

Answer Key:

1. E (Break the ice - To initiate conversation in a social setting, making people feel more comfortable.)

2. F (A piece of cake - Something that is very easy to do.)

3. G (Under the weather - Feeling ill or sick.)

4. A (Cost an arm and a leg - Something that is very expensive.)

5. D (Hit the nail on the head - To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.)

6. B (Let the cat out of the bag - To reveal a secret unintentionally.)

7. C (Burning the midnight oil - To stay up late working or studying.)

 

III. Activity 2: Story Creation

   - Group Activity: Divide students into small groups. Provide each group with a list of idioms.

   - Task: Each group will create a short story using at least five idioms from their list.

   - Presentation: Groups will present their stories to the class. Discuss and explain the idioms used in each story.

 

For the story creation activity, here are five groups of idioms.

Group 1:

1. Break the ice: To initiate conversation in a social setting, making people feel more comfortable.

2. A piece of cake: Something that is very easy to do.

3. Under the weather: Feeling ill or sick.

4. Spill the beans: To reveal a secret.

5. Hit the books: To study very hard.

 

 Group 2:

1. Cost an arm and a leg: Something that is very expensive.

2. Burning the midnight oil: To stay up late working or studying.

3. The ball is in your court: It is up to you to make the next decision or take action.

4. Bite the bullet: To endure a painful or unpleasant situation that is unavoidable.

5. Jump on the bandwagon: To join others in doing something that is currently popular or fashionable.

 

 Group 3:

1. Let the cat out of the bag: To reveal a secret unintentionally.

2. Once in a blue moon: Something that happens very rarely.

3.Kill two birds with one stone: To accomplish two tasks with one action.

4. Piece of the action: To be involved in an activity that is exciting or profitable.

5. Burn bridges: To destroy relationships or opportunities.

 

Group 4:

1. Hit the nail on the head: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.

2. Bite off more than you can chew: To take on a task that is way too big.

3. Cry over spilled milk: To waste time worrying about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.

4. Break the bank: To be very expensive or to use up all of one’s money.

5. Cut corners: To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality.

 

 Group 5:

1. In the same boat: To be in the same difficult situation as someone else.

2. Pull someone’s leg: To joke with someone.

3. Raining cats and dogs: To rain very heavily.

4. Take it with a grain of salt: To not take something too seriously.

5. Throw in the towel: To give up or admit defeat.

 

 Instructions for Students:

1. Group Work: Form groups and choose one of the idiom groups provided.

2. Story Creation: Create a short story that incorporates all five idioms from your chosen group.

3. Presentation: Each group will present their story to the class.

4. Discussion: After each presentation, discuss the idioms used in the story, ensuring everyone understands their meanings and usage.

 

IV. Activity 3: Idiom Charades

 - Preparation: Write idioms on flashcards.

   - Game: One student picks a card and acts out the idiom without speaking, while the rest of the class guesses the idiom.

Idioms for Charades:

1. Break the ice: To initiate conversation in a social setting, making people feel more comfortable.

2. A piece of cake: Something that is very easy to do.

3. Under the weather: Feeling ill or sick.

4. Cost an arm and a leg: Something that is very expensive.

5. Hit the nail on the head: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.

6. Let the cat out of the bag: To reveal a secret unintentionally.

7. Burning the midnight oil: To stay up late working or studying.

8. Spill the beans: To reveal a secret.

9. Bite the bullet: To endure a painful or unpleasant situation that is unavoidable.

10. Jump on the bandwagon: To join others in doing something that is currently popular or fashionable.

11. Once in a blue moon: Something that happens very rarely.

12. Kill two birds with one stone: To accomplish two tasks with one action.

13. Pull someone’s leg: To joke with someone.

14. Raining cats and dogs: To rain very heavily.

15. Throw in the towel: To give up or admit defeat.

16. Burn bridges: To destroy relationships or opportunities.

17. Cry over spilled milk: To waste time worrying about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.

18. Cut corners: To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality.

19. In the same boat: To be in the same difficult situation as someone else.

20. Take it with a grain of salt: To not take something too seriously.

 

 Instructions for Idiom Charades:

1. Preparation: Write each idiom on a separate flashcard.

2. Game Setup: Divide the class into two teams.

3. Acting Out: One student from a team picks a flashcard and acts out the idiom without speaking.

4. Guessing: The rest of the team tries to guess the idiom. Set a time limit for each round (e.g., 1 minute).

5. Scoring: Award points for correctly guessed idioms. The team with the most points at the end wins.

 

5. Conclusion and Assessment

   - Summary: Recap the key points of the lesson. Emphasize the importance of idioms in everyday language and cultural understanding.

   - Homework: Assign a short writing task where students write a paragraph or dialogue using at least five idioms learned in the lesson.