An Oral Language Program That Teaches IdiomsIdioms And .

An Oral LanguageProgram that TeachesIdioms and ExplainsHow they WorkDavid NewmanSpeech-Language Pathologist David Newmonic Language Resources

Idioms Language ProgramA Friendly Reminder David Newmonic Language Resources 2009 - 2010This book and all its contents are intellectual property.All illustrations by David NewmanNo part of this publication may be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or reproduced in any way, including but notlimited to digital copying and printing without the prior agreement and written permission of the author.2 David Newmonic Language Resources

Table of ContentsIntroduction.4Notes on each Scenario.5Instructions to Students.6Glossary of Terms.9Cloud Nine scenarios – Clothes.10Cloud Nine scenarios – Animals.14Cloud Nine scenarios – Colours.18Cloud Nine scenarios – Money.22Cloud Nine scenarios – Medical.26 David Newmonic Language Resources

Idioms Language Programsituation; situations that your students should beIntroductionThis particular idiom program was created because ofmy initial frustration in attempting to teach thedifficult concept of idioms to language impairedstudents.If we look at the following example we can see thatMary describes the narrator’s new friend as a wolf insheep’s clothing, and adds that ‘you need to beI have found idioms to be a difficult concept to teachsuccessfully.familiar with and have some experience with.Understandingrequiresaleapofimagination on the student’s part. The role of theclinician or teacher is to provide the scaffoldingcareful of Marty.’ We can assume that Marty issomeone the narrator’s sister doesn’t trust much. Theinference is that perhaps Marty is an untrustworthycharacter.necessary for the student to make that leap, and trulyA Wolf in Sheep’s ClothingClothing‘get’ the meaning of idioms.Setting:Setting: I liked my new friend Marty, but my sisterThrough trial and error I’ve discovered that context isa highly useful means of teaching the concept ofidioms. In each individual scenario a common idiomis uttered by a character in a highly contextualis not sure about him. She said, ‘You need to becareful of Marty. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.’A wolf in sheep’s clothing means.a) A wolf that likes to dress in sheepskinsb) A person that likes to dress well, but is harmlessc) A person who pretends to be good, but is actuallyreally badIdioms - Animals4 David Newmonic Language Resources

Idioms Language ProgramNotes on Each ScenarioIdioms are an example of figurative language.The correct answer for each scenario is presented asunderlined and highlighted in a multiple choiceformat. Selecting the correct answer from multiplechoice provides a little extra scaffolding for studentswho may struggle with the concept of idioms.It is your discretion as a teacher or clinician as to howmuch scaffolding your students need to be provided.Each student will vary in their ability to learn and tobe comfortable with idioms.Figurative language is a higher level language ability.With figurative language students are required to gobeyond literal language and concrete images toexplore new layers of meaning.There are 100 individual scenarios separated into fivedifferent categories of 20 scenarios each: clothes,animals, colours, money, and medical.The cards can be cut out and laminatedand used together with a board game forindividual and group use, or as a wholeI recommend that students with language disorderclass activity.receive the most amount of scaffolding. They need theextra scaffolding to better create links between literalinformation and the more metaphorical imagery foundin idioms.5 David Newmonic Language Resources

Idioms Language ProgramThe concrete image is combined with a startlingInstructions to StudentsandPlease feel free to use the orystudents’settounderstandingofidioms. The following is an example ofinstructions I use when introducing easisseeminglyunrelatedimagetocreatesomething new.Idioms are a very interesting form of figurativelanguage. They provide us with a new way oflooking at the world.needed.An idiom is a cultural metaphor that guage in new and interesting ways. Figurativelanguage is a form of language that uses concrete,literal images as a base.some understanding of word and world knowledge.That is, idioms are sayings that have been usedfor generations and have become part of thecultural vernacular.6 David Newmonic Language Resources

Idioms Language ProgramIdioms do require some knowledge about wordsSecond, we have the image of the sheep. A sheepand how they go together.is an animal that is viewed as docile, harmless andgentle.An example of a popular idiom is, ‘a wolf in sheep’sclothing.’ If we look closely at the idiom from aFinally, when we combine the image of the wolfliteral point of view we have two quite separatewith the image of the sheep we have the strangeand contrasting images.picture of a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing.First, there is the image of the wolf. HistoricallyNow, the two separate images of the wolf andthe wolf is viewed as a predator. We have learntsheep don’t normally ‘go’ together. But the beautyfrom stories such as the three little pigs that aof idioms is that the two images can actually bewolf is a dangerous creature that cannot befused to create a whole new meaning.trusted.7 David Newmonic Language Resources

Idioms Language ProgramTo successfully combine the two contrastingWhy does the wolf dress in sheep’s clothing?images requires a leap of imagination on ourAnswer: The wolf is trying to distract us from itsparts. And idioms, with their creative use oftrue nature. The wolf hopes to trick us intolanguage,thinking it is harmless; that it is just a sheep.areverygoodattriggeringourimaginations.When we use the idiom of a wolf in sheep’sSo in our example of the wolf, we can picture aclothing to describe a person we are essentiallywolf actually dressed in sheep’s clothing. We cansaying that a particular person cannot be trusted,imagine that the clothing is in fact a disguise.even though his/her appearance and mannerappears harmless to us.We assume this because we know the wolf’snature and that beneath the sheep’s clothing itThe idiom of a wolf in sheep’s clothing reminds usremains a dangerous predator.that sometimes we need to look beyond surfaceappearances to discover a person’s true nature.’8 David Newmonic Language Resources

Idioms Language ProgramGlossary of TermsThe following terms have been added for yourconvenience. Some of the words and descriptions inthe introductory notes may confuse some students.Figurative Language: figurative language containsimages that a writer or speaker uses to make unusualcomparisons between items.Literal language: literal language is words or imagesthat don’t deviate from their defined meaning.Cultural Metaphor: images or language that isparticular to a region or cultural group and that hasVernacular: the everyday language that is spoken bya particular people or country that is different fromliterary language.Predator: an organism (animal – insect) that lives bypreying on other organisms.Fuse: to unite or blend something together, likemelting.Disguise: to change your appearance or concealidentity with the intent to mislead.specific meaning to that group.9 David Newmonic Language Resources

Idioms Language ProgramBelow the BeltBeltBurn a Hole in One’s PocketPocketSetting: I thought it was below the belt when mySetting: I was in the biggest toy store in thebest friend stole my new footy and didn’t returncountry - I could feel the money burn a hole in mypocket.it, even after I asked for its return.Below the belt means a) To get hit by a ball on the legsb) When a friend takes something that belongs toyouBurn a hole in one’s pocket means a) To have a hole in your pants pocketb) To have money that you’re likely to spendc) To do something cowardly or unfairc) To have money that you want to savequicklyDressed to KillKillSetting: My sister was getting ready to go tothe ball. She was dressed to kill.Dressed to kill means a) To wear your best clothesb) To wear clothes like a ninjac) To wear your baggiest or worst clothes in publicIdioms: ClothesIdioms: ClothesIdioms: ClothesFeather in One’s CapCapFine Tooth CombCombFits Like a GloveGloveSetting: To be named captain of my footy teamwas a real feather in my cap.Feather in one’s cap means a) To wear a cap that comes with a bright featherb) To be given something you didn’t deservec) To achieve something to be proud ofIdioms: ClothesSetting: I went over my written story with a finetooth comb to make certain there were noSetting: I tried on my new school uniform. It fitspelling mistakes.like a glove.Fine tooth comb means a) Careful attention to detail to ensure nothing ismissedb) A comb used to brush fine hairc) To look for spelling mistakesIdioms: ClothesFits like a glove means a) An article of clothing that fits perfectlyb) An article of clothing that is too tightc) An article of clothing that is too looseIdioms: Clothes10 David Newmonic Language Resources

Idioms Language ProgramPull up Your SocksSocksIn One’s ShoesShoesOn a ShoestringShoestringSetting: My teacher was very annoyed when heSetting: My father said, ‘To truly understandSetting: My parents traveled throughoutsaid to me, ‘It’s time for you to pull up your sockshow other people feel you need to walk in theirVietnam and Thailand on a shoestring, and hadand start working hard.’shoes for a while.’a great time.Pull up your socks means a) Make a decent and sustained effort on a taskb) To warm your cold legsc) To continue working as beforeIn one’s shoes means a) To walk using someone else’s shoesb) To be in another person’s place or positionc) To be aware of walking in your own shoesOn a shoestring means a) Tying your wallet to your belt with stringb) Surviving well on a very small amount of moneyc) To have large amounts of money and spend it allIdioms: ClothesIdioms: ClothesIdioms: ClothesPut Your Thinking CapCap onThe Shoe is on the Other FootFootTighten Your BeltBeltSetting: The ship was caught in a storm at sea.Setting: My sister teased me when I had to visitThe captain yelled above the roaring wind, ’Wethe dentist. Now the shoe was on the other footSetting: My mother said, ‘Your father has hadneed to put our thinking caps on if we are to– it was her turn to visit the dentist.his hours at work cut back. That means we allhave to tighten our belts.’survive this storm.’Put your thinking cap on means a) To place a special cap on your head that aidsthinkingb) To think long and hard and decisively aboutsomethingc) To make a hasty decision about somethingIdioms: ClothesThe shoe is on the other foot means a) It’s the sister’s turn to visit the dentistb) The sister was wearing the wrong shoesc) Places and roles are reversedIdioms: ClothesTighten your belt means a) To lose weightb) To spend money without carec) To live on less money than usualIdioms: Clothes11 David Newmonic Language Resources