Reading Skills_L8_Unit 9_Presentations

Unit 9 Presentation 1 Understanding Idiomatic Expressions Level 8 Unit 9: Lesson 1 (c) Scholastic Education International (S) Pte Ltd 1

What are idiomatic expressions? Idiomatic expressions are expressions that come naturally to native speakers but may be difficult for non-native speakers to understand. • An idiom is a group of words, or a phrase, that has a meaning other than its literal meaning. • A collocation is made up of two words that go together and have a unique meaning. Words in a collocation cannot be replaced with any other words and still sound right. Level 8 Unit 9: Lesson 1 (c) Scholastic Education International (S) Pte Ltd 2

Why understand idiomatic expressions? Understanding idiomatic expressions helps: • Non-native speakers understand and use English like native speakers. It helps develop their fluency. • Readers think beyond the literal and gain a deeper appreciation of the text. Level 8 Unit 9: Lesson 1 (c) Scholastic Education International (S) Pte Ltd 3

How to understand idiomatic expressions Ask yourself: • What does this phrase mean? • Does that make sense? • Could it have another meaning? • Are there any clues in the context that can help me understand the meaning? • Are these words that just ‘go together’? Level 8 Unit 9: Lesson 1 (c) Scholastic Education International (S) Pte Ltd 4

Understanding idiomatic expressions IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS Example Literal Meaning Context Clue Collocation Clue Actual Meaning Level 8 Unit 9: Lesson 1 (c) Scholastic Education International (S) Pte Ltd 5

Understanding idiomatic expressions IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS Example Literal Meaning Context Clue Collocation Clue Actual Meaning put you all to sleep If it had been anybody else you made you go to might have looked made you not notice anything sleep more closely, but — out of the it was natural for ordinary him to be here... Level 8 Unit 9: Lesson 1 (c) Scholastic Education International (S) Pte Ltd 6

Understanding idiomatic expressions IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS Example Literal Meaning Context Clue Collocation Clue Actual Meaning If it had been anybody else you made you not put you all to made you go to might have looked notice anything sleep sleep more closely, but — out of the it was natural for ordinary him to be here... stamped on his pressed ...went through on his mind impossible to mind something heavily these papers forget onto his mind again and again. I think we may assume he has every detail... LeLveevle8l 8 Unit 9: LesUsonnit19: Lesson 1 (c)©ScShcohloalsatsicticEdEudcuactaiotinonInItnetrenrantaiotinoanla(lS()SP) tPeteLtLdtd 7 7

Understanding idiomatic expressions IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS Example Literal Meaning Context Clue Collocation Clue Actual Meaning old days days that are not ...it only required can’t change ‘old’ a time in the past young ... fraud to be for another word (the words ‘used exposed to’ suggest ‘in the past’.) don’t see can’t perceive ...it only required — do not with the eyes ... fraud to be understand exposed Level 8 Unit 9: Lesson 1 (c) Scholastic Education International (S) Pte Ltd 8

Understanding idiomatic expressions IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS Example Literal Meaning Context Clue Collocation Clue Actual Meaning shortness of temper easily angered (A temper would not be of a short do the same I remembered the length; ‘taciturnity’, trick First Sea Lord’s — reputation for — which means uncommunicative, is likely to tie in with taciturnity… something like bad temper.) perform a similar I think we may do ... trick do the same thing act of deception assume that he as (The Frenchman used to every detail be able to remember stamped on his every detail, and that mind. When I was must younger I could… be the ‘trick’.) Level 8 Unit 9: Lesson 1 (c) Scholastic Education International (S) Pte Ltd 9

Wrap up: Understand idiomatic expressions • Identify words or phrases that either do not make sense to you or seem to have a meaning other than their literal one. • Read around the words or phrases, think about the topic and ask yourself what other meaning the words or phrase might have. • Check to see if certain words go together and cannot be exchanged for others. • Understanding idiomatic expressions will help you understand and use English like a native speaker. Level 8 Unit 9: Lesson 1 (c) Scholastic Education International (S) Pte Ltd 10

The original content in this presentation is copyrighted and used by permission of Scholastic Education International (Singapore) Pte Ltd. Scholastic Education International (Singapore) Pte Ltd will not be responsible for the accuracy of any modification to the original content. Level 8 Unit 9: Lesson 1 (c) Scholastic Education International (S) Pte Ltd 11

Unit 9 Presentation 2 Understanding Idiomatic Expressions Level 8 Unit 9: Lesson 1 (c) Scholastic Education International (S) Pte Ltd 12

Understanding idiomatic expressions Ask yourself: • What does this phrase mean? • Does that make sense? • Could it have another meaning? • Are there any clues in the context that can help me understand the meaning? • Are these words that just ‘go together’? Level 8 Unit 9: Lesson 1 (c) Scholastic Education International (S) Pte Ltd 13

Understanding idiomatic expressions IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS Example Literal Meaning Context Clue Collocation Clue Actual Meaning Level 8 Unit 9: Lesson 1 (c) Scholastic Education International (S) Pte Ltd 14

Poem Although often short, a poem can be complex, and makes use of a number of language devices, such as idiomatic expressions. • When you write a poem, be sure to include idiomatic expressions, such as idioms and collocations, that make the language of the poem rich and engaging, as well as natural and flowing. • This will help the reader think beyond the literal and gain a deeper appreciation of the poem. Level 8 Unit 9: Lesson 1 (c) Scholastic Education International (S) Pte Ltd 15

The original content in this presentation is copyrighted and used by permission of Scholastic Education International (Singapore) Pte Ltd. Scholastic Education International (Singapore) Pte Ltd will not be responsible for the accuracy of any modification to the original content. Level 8 Unit 9: Lesson 1 (c) Scholastic Education International (S) Pte Ltd 16