English idioms and how to use them

I teach English and I know that idioms and idiomatic expressions are difficult to learn. I want to use this blog to help learners understand and, hopefully, start using more idiomatic language.

First, I'm going to be controversial. Unless you work or spend time with mother-tongue speakers, you do not need to know too many idioms. If you want to pass examinations in English, or you want to read books written in English, then knowing idiomatic language will be useful and you will find books more interesting because you will be able to understand them more easily.

Some tips to help you:

• Do not translate idiomatic expressions – you still will not understand them
• Do learn idiomatic language in the same way as you learn individual words
• Do try to find idioms which you like
• Do think of situations in which you can use a particular idiom
• Do not try to learn too many
• Do attempt to use them when you can
• Don't overuse idiomatic language

Finally, be careful. When you communicate with non-mother tongue speakers your first aim is to communicate. Using too many idioms may make you difficult to understand and this may not be good in a business related situation.

Enjoy!