Home | Intermediate ESL English Discussion Topics
Here's one of the three reusable chapters in this book. There is an extensive resource section (show below) to help in reusing this lesson model many times.
2. Understand Casual Vocab
The emphasis of this lesson is on brief, simple casual statements. Slang, colloquialisms, and euphemisms are a few examples of informal words used in this lesson.
Objectives
1. Become proficient at using colloquial language in native speaking.
2. Construct a straightforward conversation using casual English.
Things to Do
1. Pick a colloquialism from the list of Resources section.
2. For comprehension, select six contextual words. Also, create two or three questions on the topic for class expansion.
3. Make a deck of cards with between 12 and 24 topics on each one for the Bonus Activity.
Lesson
Warm-up and Objective
Introduce the usage of everyday language.
Introduce the lesson's primary topic, whether it be colloquialisms, slang, or euphemisms, which was chosen in the preparation work.
Verify the students' comprehension of these words.
Discuss the lesson's main objective, which is for the students to build a discussion using casual language.
Exploration and Comprehension
Write similar terms offered by students on the board using the words selected during teacher preparation.
To eliminate any ambiguity, ask for synonyms and antonyms.
Ask students to use the term as it is written on the board.
Dissect the informal speech and go through each word in detail.
Introduce the main definition before going through the terms once more to ensure understanding.
Guided Student Practical
Pair up the students in the class. Then, each couple adds four words that relate to the topic.
For each word, each pair creates two phrases for brainstorming.
The group must select just one statement for each of the four terms.
By providing two phrases for each word, teachers may promote discussion among their students and let them select the better ones.
Students should have made effective use of the term in their statement. The goal is to write a paragraph that sounds plausible.
Students must organize their four phrases to sound natural and flowing after selecting them.
Students create questions to go along with certain sentences. Then combine the questions and responses.
All student work should be proofread to ensure that the questions and answers are correct.
Student Presentation and Evaluation
After finishing their dialogs, student pairs deliver them to the class.
It is a straightforward roleplay.
Give students points if they can recall the dialog without consulting their printed text.
Review and Assess
Use questions to discuss the dialog with the class immediately. This is done to keep the listener interested.
Activity - Card Game
This is a brief game that may employ everyday language to discuss a random topic.
Choose at random from your deck of cards.
The chosen issue is said in a phrase by the students using any amicable expressions.
The game may have more life and intensity if the class is divided into teams.
Casual Vocab Resources
Below are a few instances of informal language, including slang, euphemisms, and colloquialisms. The groupings are simple categories.
Colloquialisms (Action)
Can of worms - Unpredictability that, as we deal with it, reveals more complicated problems.
Eat my dust - To be far behind someone in a competitive situation.
In the crosshairs - To be in a precarious situation.
In the game - To focus one's attention on a particular subject.
Pass the buck - To transfer ownership of a situation or issue that was formerly your responsibility.
Raucous - Too loud and jarring in tone.
Smoke and mirrors - Information with the intent to mislead or distort reality.
Teaser - This is an advertisement for an occasion.
Washout - Something has totally failed now.
Colloquialisms (Emotion)
A sorry sight - Someone who is a target of sympathy or does not look good.
Drag - Something is monotonous or boring.
Feeling blue - We might be depressed or sad.
Guts - Proving spirit or tenacity in one's challenges.
Hang-up - A roadblock that keeps someone from progressing.
What is the use? - Being gloomy, cynical, or uncontrollable.
Colloquialisms (People)
Down to earth - Someone who is likable and trustworthy.
Fix someone up - Make sure someone has what they need.
Hot stuff - A person who is appealing and desirable.
She/He is out - The individual is not available.
I was not born yesterday - There is no way to trick this person.
Colloquialisms (State)
Barebones - The characteristics or elements of something.
Class - Something or someone elegant and fashionable.
Lemon - Something is not working or is of inferior quality.
No-brainer - Something is so obvious that no thought is needed.
Over yonder - Something far away.
Rathole - A tiny, filthy, uncomfortable room.
Security blanket - Something that provides comfort and reassurance in tough times.
Sunday best - We dress in our finest clothing for special occasions.
Turn-off - Something lacks appeal or prevents us from being enthusiastic.
Euphemisms (Actions)
Doing business/going to the bathroom/powder your nose - use the restroom.
Turn a blind eye - To ignore something.
Euphemisms (Death)
Bite the dust - To die.
Collateral damage - Deaths of regular people during a conflict.
Passed away - To have died.
Euphemisms (Illness)
Blow chunks - Being sick or vomiting.
Lose your breakfast/lunch/dinner - To vomit or be sick.
Not doing so well - Describes a sick or hurt person.
Euphemisms (Items)
Adult beverages - Alcoholic drinks.
Broke/cash strapped - Having no money.
Fell off the back of a lorry/truck - When first stolen, an item is too cheap to be sold without question.
Sub-standard - Of inferior quality.
Euphemisms (Personal)
Be with child/expecting - Be pregnant.
Big-boned/curvy/portly/rotund - Overweight or obese.
Break wind/pass gas - Fart.
Economical with the truth - Lying.
Gained a few extra pounds - To have gained a lot of weight.
On the streets - Homeless.
Euphemisms (Work)
Downsizing - to end or lay off several employees.
Let someone go - To dismiss someone from work.
Recycling - refers to the act of plagiarizing, or taking someone else's work and passing it off as your own.
Sanitation engineer - A dustman/garbage collector.
Take early retirement - A company dismissed a worker.
Slang (Action)
Chat up - We strike up a conversation with a person we find attractive.
Cram - To quickly learn a lot of material.
Diss - To treat something or someone disrespectfully.
Give someone a bell - To make a phone call to someone.
Leg it - To run away quickly.
Nap - To snooze briefly during the day.
Skive - To avoid performing an obligation, like going to work or school.
Sorted - To successfully manage a situation.
Splash out - To indulge in excessively carefree spending.
Wind someone up - To intentionally enrage someone.
Slang (Emotion)
All right? - Checking on someone's wellbeing.
Blinding - Amazing.
Cheers - Used to express gratitude or to wish someone well before a drink.
Chuffed to bits - To experience a surprise about something.
Gutted - Shocked by the news, disappointed or upset.
In a strop - being unhappy, displeased, or irate.
Nice one - A modest compliment of admiration.
Not my cup of tea - Something that we do not care about.
Piece of cake/Easy peasy - There is a simple thing.
Unreal - Something is amazing, strange, or shocking.
Slang (Errors)
Botched - A worker performed poorly.
Busted - Caught doing something, or found doing something.
Dodgy/Sketchy - An unreliable character or circumstance.
Flamed - Harshly judged or verbally abused.
My bad - Owning up to a mistake you have made.
Slang (Items)
Bangers - Sausages/cars that are extremely old.
Bottom line - A fundamental truth or problem.
Wonky - Unsteady and not straight.
