The IDIOMATIC Five

Understanding and learning idioms, phrasal verbs and other challenging word combinations used by native speakers is a key part of mastering English beyond intermediate level. The purpose of this post is to provide an innovative strategy to effectively learn them.

The strategy is based on a fun 10 Episode YouTube mini-sitcom series called Idiomatic Inc that covers 5 different types of idiomatic language in a fun story-based format. Those types are: idiomatic expressions, phrasal verbs, slang, collocations and proverbs. If you're not sure what the difference is between each type, the following descriptions might be of help.

• idiomatic expressions - a phrase where the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words
• LIST OF IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS
• phrasal verbs - an idiomatic phrase consisting of a verb and another element, typically either an adverb or a preposition, the combined meaning of which is different from the meaning of its separate parts.
• LIST OF PHRASAL VERBS
• slang - informal words and phrases more common in speech than writing, typically restricted to a particular context.
• LIST OF SLANG
• collocations - a group of words commonly used together
• LIST OF COLLOCATIONS
• proverbs - a short, clever and popular saying that states a general truth or piece of advice.
• LIST OF PROVERBS

  

During the 10 Episodes, the series delivers that key 10 target language items and 20 plus secondary ones. By modeling each of the Idiomatic Five, the main purpose is to provide a general idea of how native speakers use simple word combinations to communicate more complex ideas in conversation.

In the story of Idiomatic Inc, a customer assistant in language services answers questions about idiomatic language in context. As it is a comedy, crazy things happen along the way. And it's those funny moments that help to drive not only meaning of the key language, but also additional language items.

Learning in Context

Of course, many people are overwhelmed at the notion of studying lists of idioms. And they should be because it is a terrible idea. The best way to truly learn idiomatic language and to understand the different types is to see how they are used in context.

Idiomatic Inc has been created so students can see how one idiomatic type differs from the other. In other words, how a phrasal verb is really used in a situation. How a proverb differs from slang. How collocations are the real backbone of the language native English speakers speak and how their combinations are limitless.

So then, beyond these 10 videos, how can English users continue to improve their proficiency in the Idiomatic Five? The best way to answer that is that by working with authentic material in context. This means text, audio and video created by native speakers for native speakers.

Truthfully, it would be pointless to study and learn all the existing idiomatic words or word combinations. There are just so many idiomatic expressions, phrasal verbs, slang expressions, collocations and proverbs. Natives certainly don’t know all of them. So why would you want to?

Instead, it is more productive to study and learn idiomatic language not only in context, but based on your interests, needs and priorities. So then, the question becomes how do you decide what those are.

Your Turn

OK, forget about idioms for a moment. Seriously. Let's talk about you. What are you interested in? What do you really like? Are you into sports, technology, fashion, politics, music, film, business, education, parenting or anything else in this world? You probably are.

This will be your topic. Choose source material about that topic. It can be a short article or video (with an available transcript). It could be a scene of a movie. Do the following.

• Read the text or watch the video.
• Write a 100 word summary describing what it is.
• Did you use the same style of language that is used in the source material? If you didn't, it's OK. It means you need to acquire idioms.
• Re-read or watch the original material again. Compare.
• Select a short passage of the text or segment of the video.
• Identify idiomatic language.
• Look for the meaning if you don't know it. Use dictionary, Google, etc to verify.
• Rewrite the summary and incorporate the idioms.
• (Wait a week) Tell someone else in English about what you read about or watched. It could be during class or during a study group session.
• Repeat again with a different topic and source material
• Repeat again with the same topic and another source material.
.

Getting Creative

Choosing idioms from a previous topic and source material, write a short story using some or all of the idiomatic language from that topic. The story doesn't need to be long. It only needs to have 4 things: a beginning, middle, end and a conflict. Share your story with your class and peers. Submit it to correction. Repeat with more idioms. With many more idioms.

Soon you will find you are incorporating idioms about the things you are interested in and are even about a few more. 

The key is: Have fun! Do not get stressed. Share your work with others and most importantly, help others with their work. You will find this last part is the most rewarding.

English Lesson from Frank Underwood

Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood

No matter where you’re from or what you believe in, you may agree that those who hold power at any level, and especially those who hold political power have the upper hand on the effective use of language. Anywhere in the world. Any language. After all, language is the tool of choice that politicians use to gain support of their constituents.

The critically minded will usually agree that politicians use that language to tell a story.  The story people want to hear. About values, destiny and the national cause. Believers will buy it. Opponents obviously won’t. Others will not care so long as it doesn’t affect them. But a few out there will read between the lines and figure out that it’s mostly a game. A game where the politicians, their inner circle and business associates win and mostly everybody else loses. A victory achieved by carefully choosing the right words.

So what if a ruthless and cunning politician actually admitted that most of what he or she says was a lie… but only to you. What if this person revealed the truth about everything. The corruption, the deals, the hypocrisy and of course, his or her true goals. Well, that is one of the main drivers behind the success of the Netflix political drama House of Cards. The show follows the story of Frank and Claire Underwood, a Washington power couple on their way to the presidency of the United States.

In each episode, Frank stops for a moment and delivers his real vision of things… to you, the audience. In these confessionary moments, Frank is blunt, dramatic, often has a point, and uses all kinds of linguistic and literary devices to support his message. For the audience, it’s a moment to learn about Underwood’s true intentions. However, for English Users, it’s also a chance to understand the language of power and deception.

Here is a selection of some of these moments. The transcript of each one follows below:

• “And the butchery begins.”
• “Any pugilist worth his salt knows when someone's on the rope,that's when you throw a combination to the gut and a left hook to the jaw.”
• “In Gaffney we had our own brand of diplomacy. Shake with your right hand and have a rock in your left.”
• “I’ve always loathed the necessity of sleep. Like death, it puts even the most powerful men on their backs.”
• “The heart can choke the mind when all the blood flows back onto itself.”
• “There can be no false steps now, the higher up the mountain, the more treacherous the path.”
• “Good things happen to good people.”
• “Avoid wars you can't win, and never raise your flag for an asinine cause like slavery.”
• “When the money’s coming your way, you don’t ask questions.”
• “This hurts us both. It's not my wound to suture. Claire must be the surgeon. Only she can stop the bleeding.”
• “The road to power is paved with hypocrisy and casualties. Never regret.”
• “It's not beginning the story I fear; it's not knowing how it will end. Everyone is fair game now.”
• "There are two types of vice-presidents, doormats and Matadors, which one do you think I intend to be?"
• "The only thing more satisfying than convincing someone to do what I want is failing to persuade them on purpose. It's like a do not enter sign, it just begs you to walk through the door."
• "From the lion's den to a pack of wolves. When you're fresh meat, kill and throw them something fresher."
• “Even Achilles was only as strong as his heel.”
• “Cry havoc said he who fought chaos with chaos and let slip the dogs of war!”
• “Every kitten grows up to be a cat. They seem so harmless at first; small, quiet, lapping up their saucer of milk. But once their claws get long enough they draw blood. Sometimes from the hand that feeds them. For those of us climbing to the top of the food chain there can be no mercy. There is but one rule. Hunt or be hunted.”

Who knows? Maybe more content like this (from around the world) will someday help the believers, the opponents and the indifferent open their eyes just a little so that - as the classic rock song from The Who used to say - “We won’t get fooled again”.

WATCH House of Cards (Season 1) Trailer

Discussion Questions for Students and Teachers:

• Do you watch or have you seen House of Cards?
• Are there any political dramas in your country which question the current system of politics? If not, would they be allowed?
• If more people questioned their leadership and political systems, would it change anything?
• How is fear used as a tool by politicians?
• Does corruption undermine democracy? Why or why not?
• Does power corrupt? Why or why not?
• If you were the president, what's the first thing you would do?

Writing

Write 10 sentences about political leaders or governmental systems using some of the vocabulary from this post. CHECK your writing here:

ENGLISH & MUSIC: A RIDE Through the Future

By Paul Ponce, PLS Teacher

Songs are always a great way to learn a language in context. And when the song tells a story, the music acts like the soundtrack. The story behind this song takes us to a future where things are less than ideal.

Of course, stories about future dystopian societies normally act as cautionary tales about what might happen one day. So they are usually not a lot of fun. However, this one is a little different.

First of all, it’s a rock song by legendary Canadian power rock trio Rush, which means powerful music and thought-provoking poetic lyrics (hence, a chance to improve your vocabulary). Second, it’s about a guy that breaks the law by escaping from a gated city to visit his cool uncle and enjoy the freedom of driving a real car, something which is illegal in this place and time. But not just any car, a stylish Italian sports car from a bygone era: a Barchetta.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY:  First, READ and understand the lyrics. Next, WATCH the short animated film - based on the song - which tells the story as you listen to the lyrics. The lyrics are provided below and have links to the meaning of some words. Afterwards, proceed to QUESTIONS and DISCUSSION at the end.

"Red Barchetta" Story Reel from Sant Arellano on Vimeo.

GRAMMAR NOTE: The story is told in present tense narrative and in many cases omits the subject when the protagonist talks about what he does. This is a poetic decision which makes the lyrics easier to match to the music, while still maintaining clear storytelling.

Red Barchetta by Rush

My uncle has a country place

That no one knows about

He says it used to be a farm

Before the Motor Law

And now on Sundays I elude the eyes

And hop the turbine freight

To far outside the wire where my

White-haired uncle waits

(subject “I” omitted)

Jump to the ground as the turbo slows

To cross the borderline

Run like the wind as excitement shivers

Up and down my spine

But down in his barn

My uncle preserved for me

An old machine

For fifty-odd years

To keep it as new

Has been his dearest dream

I strip away the old debris

That hides a shining car

A brilliant Red Barchetta

From a better vanished time

We'll fire up the willing engine

Responding with a roar

Tires spitting gravel

I commit my weekly crime

Wind

In my hair

Shifting and drifting

Mechanical music

Adrenaline surge

Well-oiled leather

Hot metal and oil

The scented country air

Sunlight on chrome

The blur of the landscape

Every nerve aware

Suddenly ahead of me

Across the mountainside

A gleaming alloy air-car

Shoots towards me two lanes wide

Oh, I spin around with shrieking tires

To run the deadly race

Go screaming through the valley

As another joins the chase

Ride like the wind

Straining the limits

Of machine and man

Laughing out loud with fear and hope

I've got a desperate plan

At the one-lane bridge

I leave the giants stranded

At the riverside

Race back to the farm

To dream with my uncle

At the fireside

QUESTIONS: Use the vocabulary in the lyrics to answer:

• What do we know about the boy's uncle’s country place?
• When does he commit his weekly “crime”?
• How long has his uncle kept the Barchetta?
• How does the boy prepare the car before driving?
• What are some of the sensations he feels as he drives?
• What appears across the mountain side?
• What's the boy's desperate plan to escape from the alloy air-cars?
• What does the boy do when he gets back to the farm?

SENTENCES: Create new sentences using some of the following: used to, elude, run like the wind, shiver, odd years, strip away, fire up, roar, gravel, surge, scented, chrome, allow, spin, shrieking, tires, straining, stranded

DISCUSSION: 

• What are some of the major themes of this story and how do characters, actions and events represent these themes?
• What does driving the car represent to the boy?
• What does driving a car represent in other places?

LIVE MUSIC: Here are Geddy Lee (bass, vocals), Alex Lifeson (guitar) and Neil Peart (drums, lyrics) of Rush performing the song live at a recent concert. By the way, these guys are like the boy's uncle. Not so young any more, but still firing up their machines and having fun.

Origin: Rush drummer / lyricist Neil Peart was inspired to write this song after reading a futuristic short story titled "A Nice Morning Drive", by Richard Foster and published in the November 1973 issue of Road and Track magazine.