10,800 American Idioms
I quickly discovered in China that idioms are almost a separate language, by themselves. Many of my students already had a firm grasp on the English language and could communicate very well when normal literal words were used.
Unfortunately, idioms are not literal, and the American language has over 10,800 idiomatic phrases.
After I realized that idioms are so important in American communication, I started collecting them. For 10 years, I collected them from TV shows, movies, and conversations.
I then put them in a multiple choice format to make them more interesting to study. Plus, this approach forces our minds to process them better.
Since the list is so large, I needed to spread them out over 10 books. There are about 500 pages per book, depending on which Kindle format you use.
I then put them in a multiple choice format to make them more interesting to study. Plus, this approach forces our minds to process them better.
Since the list is so large, I needed to spread them out over 10 books. There are about 500 pages per book, depending on which Kindle format you use.
Click on "Free Downloads" and then "Idioms" to downloads these eBooks.
A major reason why students have difficulties learning idioms is because their minds are set to view words as having literal meanings. This must change if the student wants to master idioms.
This is step 1 in learning idioms.
Step 2 in learning idioms is to expose yourself to a large variety of idioms.
It seems that being exposed to a large variety of idioms reprograms our brain to help us understand unknown idioms. This is what happens to native English speakers. That is the reason that we can understand many idioms even though we have never heard them before.
These 10 books cover an extremely large variety of idioms.
You do not need to memorize these idioms to reprogram your brain to understand American idioms. First, read through them without trying to memorize them. Later, memorize the ones you think are important.
This is step 1 in learning idioms.
Step 2 in learning idioms is to expose yourself to a large variety of idioms.
It seems that being exposed to a large variety of idioms reprograms our brain to help us understand unknown idioms. This is what happens to native English speakers. That is the reason that we can understand many idioms even though we have never heard them before.
These 10 books cover an extremely large variety of idioms.
You do not need to memorize these idioms to reprogram your brain to understand American idioms. First, read through them without trying to memorize them. Later, memorize the ones you think are important.
Change the way you think about idioms
Click on "Free Downloads" and then "Interesting Articles"
to download these articles
Interesting Articles that I have Written
While I was living in China, I had written about 124 articles to helps my students improve their English.
To encourage them to read English text, I made the article interesting for them. I covered topics that many of them were struggling with. Such as:
-How to Find Mr. or Mrs. Right-Problems in relationships-Discouragement-Loneliness-Unhappiness-Peace during times of trouble
-How to Find Mr. or Mrs. Right-Problems in relationships-Discouragement-Loneliness-Unhappiness-Peace during times of trouble
Over the years, I have written nine books. I have included this collection of books for free download to give you something extra to read.
Several schools are using a couple of these books as part of their curriculum. In addition, one of these books was translated into German and two books were translated into Portuguese.
Books that I have written
- Click on "Free Downloads" and then "Books I've written" to download these eBooks
You can read these eBooks on all these devices
Use a projector to teach idioms in the classroom or use a projector, or TV, at home for party games
Simply show the idiom and the four choices and let them guess the meaning of the idiom.
Free Distribution is Encouraged
Although I own the copyrights for these books of idioms, I give you permission to distribute them for free.
You cannot sell them or profit directly from them. The books must stay in their current form and cannot be altered. You may, however, include a small portion of this material (20 pages maximum) in publications and other projects.
Classroom use: I’m giving you extra freedom to use this material in your classroom. For example, you may print handouts of the material or use the material on a projector. Although you may charge for your class, you cannot directly charge for this material.
You cannot sell them or profit directly from them. The books must stay in their current form and cannot be altered. You may, however, include a small portion of this material (20 pages maximum) in publications and other projects.
Classroom use: I’m giving you extra freedom to use this material in your classroom. For example, you may print handouts of the material or use the material on a projector. Although you may charge for your class, you cannot directly charge for this material.
The Reason these eBooks are Free
Both my wife and I were taught to treat others the way we want to be treated. That is why we are given these books away for free.
This collection of American idioms is probably the largest list of American idioms in the world. As such, I could probably sell the eBook for a fair amount of money. Money is important, of course, but there are other things which are even more important.
My wife and I volunteered our time and personal money to go to China to help the Chinese people. We did not receive any financial support. Now, we want to use what we have learned from our experience in China to help others for free.
This collection of American idioms is probably the largest list of American idioms in the world. As such, I could probably sell the eBook for a fair amount of money. Money is important, of course, but there are other things which are even more important.
My wife and I volunteered our time and personal money to go to China to help the Chinese people. We did not receive any financial support. Now, we want to use what we have learned from our experience in China to help others for free.
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Feb 20 2025 at 12:18 pm EST