Language Activities

Level: Middle

Time: 30 minutes

Size of class: 30 – 40

Objective: Language focus: Idioms

Preparation:

1. Make two sets, one each of (i) idioms (ii) their meanings, on thick pieces of card paper.

2. This game will be played in groups, so make as many sets as you would require for each group in your class.

3. A few samples are given; however, you may have to add on to the list.

IN CLASS

1. Divide your class into groups.

2. Distribute a set each of the idioms and their meanings to each group.

3. Allot a time frame to complete the activity.

4. Children will match the idioms with their meanings in a stipulated time.

5. Alternately, for a little boisterous activity, you can conduct it as a game outside the class.

   1. Give a set of idioms to two/three groups and the set of meanings to the rest of the groups.

   2. Children will search for the meanings from the different groups, by asking for it, or vice versa.(i.e. ask for the idioms)

6. The group which matches all the idioms correctly in the stipulated time, will be the winner.

Sample:

 

S.No.	Idioms	Meanings
1	to strike when the iron is hot	to do something while the time is right
2	to turn over a new leaf	change one’s behaviour for the better
3	sit on the fence	refuse to take sides in a dispute/quarrel
4	to bury the hatchet	forget a past enmity and become friends again
5	to get into hot water	to get into trouble
6	to flog a dead horse	keep trying to do something when it is no longer possible
7	to face the music	to face the consequences of a mistake committed by oneself
8	as fit as a fiddle	healthy and fit
9	to put the cart before the horse	to do things in the wrong order
10	to be under a cloud	to be under suspicion of having done something wrong

* Article first published in FORTELL newsletter, issue no. 15