The purpose of this course is to assist students to become more familiar with idioms used in everyday communication, helping them bridge the gap between “meaning” and “thrust” of idiomatic expressions. Native speakers of English like using idioms and colloquialisms because they add ‘spice’ to the language. However, they are often areas of difficulty for non-native speakers. Understanding idioms is an important part of learning and speaking English well. Idioms help students enrich their language and understand native speakers more easily. This course affords students as much active involvement as possible. Students are provided with many exercises and communicative activities so that they are able to spontaneously apply learned idioms in everyday context.

On completion of the course, students should be able to 1. become familiar with common idioms and expressions in English; 2. recognize and produce high-frequency idioms and expressions; 3. use idioms for everyday communication; and 4. enhance their cultural awareness through the topics/contexts presented.

1. Speak English Like an American By Amy Gillett Bookman Books, Ltd.
2. Handouts from the instructor.