FOR MORE EXAMPLES GO TO: http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/m.html
jueves, 14 de octubre de 2010
Idioms and idiomatic expressions
An idiom is a phrase where the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words, which can make idioms hard for ESL students and learners to understand.
A bit much
If something is excessive or annoying, it is a bit much.
A bridge too far
A bridge too far is an act of overreaching- going too far and getting into trouble or failing.
A chain is no stronger than its weakest link
This means that processes, organisations, etc, are vulnerable because the weakest person or part can always damage or break them.
A day late and a dollar short
(USA) If something is a day late and a dollar short, it is too little, too late.
Babe in arms
A babe in arms is a very young child, or a person who is very young to be holding a position.
Babe in the woods
A babe in the woods is a naive, defenceless, young person.
Cake's not worth the candle
If someone says that the cake's not worth the candle, they mean that the result will not be worth the effort put in to achieve it.
Calf lick
A calf lick is the weird parting in your fringe where your hair grows in a different direction, usually to one side.
Daft as a brush
(UK) Someone who is daft as a brush is rather stupid.
Damp squib
(UK) If something is expected to have a great effect or impact but doesn't, it is a damp squib.
Each to their own
Different people have different preferences. In American English, 'Each to his own' is more common.
Eager beaver
A person who is extremely keen is an eager beaver.
Mad as a badger
If someone is as mad as a badger, they are crazy.
Mad as a bag of hammers
Someone who is as mad as a bag of hammers is crazy or stupid. ('Daft as a bag of hammers' is also used
FOR MORE EXAMPLES GO TO: http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/m.html
FOR MORE EXAMPLES GO TO: http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/m.html
Listening
Top Ten Listening Techniques
Listening seems like a simple process and yet so many of us are more
eager to talk than to listen. Someone once said we were given two ears
and one mouth for a reason. What better gift could you give to your
family, friends, peers and bosses than to listen to them so that they feel
really heard? Here are some tips:
1. Stay present – Don’t let your mind wander. Many are composing a
response before the speaker has a chance to completely finish his/her
thought.
2. Make eye contact – Let the speaker see your interest by regularly
making eye contact.
3. Ask questions for clarification – This is not your time to respond.
Get really clear about what is being said. If you don’t understand,
ask questions in an open non-charged manner.
4. Acknowledge feelings – If the speaker is telling you something about
his/her feelings, acknowledge them. You don’t have to agree to show
that you see the speaker is upset or happy about something.
5. Restate or paraphrase – Make sure you are getting the information
the speaker is presenting by periodically repeating what you hear in
different words the speakers. “Let me see if I’ve got it so far?”
6. Seek first to understand and then to be understood - Before you
state your thoughts and ideas make sure you totally understand and
acknowledge the speakers thoughts.
7. Give nonverbal feedback - While the speaker is speaking, be sure to
smile, nod, frown, shrug your shoulders, or raise your eyebrows –
whatever is appropriate.
8. Silence – Don’t be afraid of this. Periods of total quiet will
allow you and the speaker to think about what was said. When you are sure
the speaker has completed his/her thoughts on the subject it will be
time for you to comment.
9. Take in all the information both verbal and nonverbal – Focus on the
meaning of what is being said and also what is not being said.
10. Get permission – Sometimes people just want to be heard. At other
times they are seeking advice. Give advice only when requested and
only after the person has had a chance to give you the whole story. If
you are not sure, ask if the person is looking for your input.
Page recomended: http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/107/Top-Ten-Listening-Techniques.html
Listening seems like a simple process and yet so many of us are more
eager to talk than to listen. Someone once said we were given two ears
and one mouth for a reason. What better gift could you give to your
family, friends, peers and bosses than to listen to them so that they feel
really heard? Here are some tips:
1. Stay present – Don’t let your mind wander. Many are composing a
response before the speaker has a chance to completely finish his/her
thought.
2. Make eye contact – Let the speaker see your interest by regularly
making eye contact.
3. Ask questions for clarification – This is not your time to respond.
Get really clear about what is being said. If you don’t understand,
ask questions in an open non-charged manner.
4. Acknowledge feelings – If the speaker is telling you something about
his/her feelings, acknowledge them. You don’t have to agree to show
that you see the speaker is upset or happy about something.
5. Restate or paraphrase – Make sure you are getting the information
the speaker is presenting by periodically repeating what you hear in
different words the speakers. “Let me see if I’ve got it so far?”
6. Seek first to understand and then to be understood - Before you
state your thoughts and ideas make sure you totally understand and
acknowledge the speakers thoughts.
7. Give nonverbal feedback - While the speaker is speaking, be sure to
smile, nod, frown, shrug your shoulders, or raise your eyebrows –
whatever is appropriate.
8. Silence – Don’t be afraid of this. Periods of total quiet will
allow you and the speaker to think about what was said. When you are sure
the speaker has completed his/her thoughts on the subject it will be
time for you to comment.
9. Take in all the information both verbal and nonverbal – Focus on the
meaning of what is being said and also what is not being said.
10. Get permission – Sometimes people just want to be heard. At other
times they are seeking advice. Give advice only when requested and
only after the person has had a chance to give you the whole story. If
you are not sure, ask if the person is looking for your input.
Page recomended: http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/107/Top-Ten-Listening-Techniques.html
Pronunciation
How to improve your English pronunciation skills
Do you want to speak English clearly and confidently?
Everybody wants to be able to speak English like a native speaker, but English pronunciation is always a big problem to ESL learners.
Bad English pronunciation may confuse people even if you used advanced English grammar. We can use simple words and simple grammar structures that make people understand you but we cannot use "simple pronunciation".
On the other hand, good English pronunciation will make people understand you easily and be willing to listen to you!
You will say that we learn English just for communication, although we speak English with a strong accent, native speakers can understand us, that's enough. But you know it is not pleased to listen to the bad pronunciation!
Also,one will change the channel when a journalist covers a person who speaks English without good pronunciation, because that make him/her feel uncomfortable although he/her can't pronounce English fluently as well.
So, how to speak English clearly and confidently? There are three ways: practice, practice and practice! First practice speaking each word clearly then practice speaking each sentence clearly.
Everybody wants to be able to speak English like a native speaker, but English pronunciation is always a big problem to ESL learners.
Bad English pronunciation may confuse people even if you used advanced English grammar. We can use simple words and simple grammar structures that make people understand you but we cannot use "simple pronunciation".
On the other hand, good English pronunciation will make people understand you easily and be willing to listen to you!
You will say that we learn English just for communication, although we speak English with a strong accent, native speakers can understand us, that's enough. But you know it is not pleased to listen to the bad pronunciation!
Also,one will change the channel when a journalist covers a person who speaks English without good pronunciation, because that make him/her feel uncomfortable although he/her can't pronounce English fluently as well.
So, how to speak English clearly and confidently? There are three ways: practice, practice and practice! First practice speaking each word clearly then practice speaking each sentence clearly.
Introduction
English is important as a business language and it is a universally spoken language in the business world. It is, however, only the third most spoken language as a mother tongue after Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. In todays global economy, it is important under current conditions for the world to pull together to try and get out of the global recession and having one language through which to mediate ways of doing this is essential.
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