Why Idioms Matter?

Why Idioms matter?

 Some teachers and English learners overlook the importance of idioms. I used to be, if I may confess, one of them. As I am more mature (I hope you can agree with me) I can say that idioms are fun to learn and use.

I have something to confess. In the past, I didn’t pay much attention to idioms. I often told my students to either pay them no attention or wait until their English is more advanced. “It’s not necessary. You can wait.” I told them In other words, it wouldn’t be too direct to characterize me as a conservative and narrow-minded person. I used to believe that idioms come second or third, standardized English (if there is any) must come first. With that negative attitude, I ignored them. I didn’t bother to learn them myself either. Even worse, I thought those who used idioms abused the language. And those who used them should be punished, canned, or at least condemned.  You can see how narrow and ignorant I used to be!

However, now, I realize that my previous point of view was too radical and narrow, which may be wrong. What factors had made me change my attitude? First the Collins’ Dictionary of Idioms, and second the Bell training offered by my working place, DPU. When I read the dictionary, I discovered that my previous view was actually too narrow.

According to Collins’:

Idioms are one of the most interesting and difficult parts of the English dictionary. … They have important roles in spoken language and in writing… People often use Idioms in order to create a sense of ‘camaraderie’ with the people they are speaking to or writing for… As a general rule learners should be careful how they use idioms in formal contexts and in formal writing.

I am now beginning to realize that idioms are an important part of ELT. Idioms can help speakers and writers getting their ideas or opinions across effectively. Further more, they are fun and challenging to learn and to use.

Among those of my favorite idioms are:

Don’t worry. There are plenty more fish in the sea.

It’s time we should wake up and smell the coffee.

In a nut shell

Just around the corner