What are proverbs?

Every culture has a collection of wise sayings that offer advice about how to live your life. These sayings are called "proverbs".

How can you use proverbs to learn English?

It's good to know the really common English proverbs because you hear them come up in conversation all the time. Sometimes people say the entire proverb to give advice to a friend. More often, someone will say just part of a proverb.

1.                 "Two wrongs don't make a right."

When someone has done something bad to you, trying to get revenge will only make things worse.

2.                 "The pen is mightier than the sword."

Trying to convince people with ideas and words is more effective than trying to force people to do what you want.

3.                 "When in Rome, do as the Romans."

Act the way that the people around you are acting. This phrase might come in handy when you're traveling abroad notice that people do things differently than you're used to.

4.                 "The squeaky wheel gets the grease."

You can get better service if you complain about something. If you wait patiently, no one's going to help you.

5.                 "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."

Strong people don't give up when they come across challenges. They just work harder.

6.                 "No man is an island."

You can't live completely independently. Everyone needs help from other people.

7.                 "Fortune favors the bold."

People who bravely go after what they want are more successful than people who try to live safely.

8.                 "People who live in glass houses should not throw stones."

Don't criticize other people if you're not perfect yourself.

9.                 "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst."

Bad things might happen, so be prepared.

10.           "Better late than never."

It's best to do something on time. But if you can't do it on time, do it late

Understanding how you learn best may also help you.

There are different ways to learn. Find out what kind of learner you are in order to better understand how to learn more effectively.

The Seven Learning Styles

·         Visual (spatial): You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.

·         Aural (auditory-musical): You prefer using sound and music.

·         Verbal (linguistic): You prefer using words, both in speech and writing.

·         Physical (kinesthetic): You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.

·         Logical (mathematical): You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems.

·         Social (interpersonal): You prefer to learn in groups or with other people.

·         Solitary (intrapersonal): You prefer to work alone and use self-study.

Visual

Visual learners learn best through what they SEE and are probably the easiest to connect with through typical classroom instruction. By writing words down or students reading information in textbooks or on the internet, you receive visual input and are able to absorb the material presented.

        Aural

Aural learners acquire information best through SOUND. Sometimes these learners are classified as auditory or musical. For these students, listening to lectures, videos and themselves talk all help them learn. Listening activities in class where students listen for a specific structure may be beneficial.

Verbal

Verbal students learn through WORDS, both spoken and written, and probably learn languages more easily than other types of learners. 

Physical

Also known as kinesthetic learners, physical learners benefit from using their bodies and sense of TOUCH as they learn. By using techniques like, for example, something as simple as writing answers to questions, which engages the hands as you hold the pen, will help you cement the knowledge into your minds

Logical

Do you have any mathematical geniuses in your class? They are probably logical learners who are using reasoning, systems and LOGIC to absorb information. For these students, language learning will come most easily from a linguistic approach. Linguistics, known as the science of language, defines rules and patterns that languages follow in their grammar, syntax and phonology, syntactic or phonological rules. Diagramming sentences will also help them understand the grammar that is beneath the surface structure of English sentences.

Social

Social learners enjoy and benefit from WORKING IN GROUPS as they learn. Since so much of language learning is communicative in nature, social learners will probably have many opportunities for quality learning through discussion groups and learning activities such as jigsaws.

Solitary

Students whose strongest learning style is solitary function best in self-learning environments and working ON THEIR OWN. Because the goal of language instruction is communication, these students may struggle with group activities or discussions in class.

As you may have read in the last issue of Speak Up, many seemingly strange phrasal verbs and idioms in English have a logical origin. In Speak Up they talk about where the phrasal verb "hang out" comes from (read the article in 323 about neighbors if you want to know). This week I thought I would look at some common idioms and their origins.

Red Tape

This is a very common idiom. We use the term "red tape" to denote anything that may delay or hold us up, whatever the process may be. It also refers to a lot of unnecessary bureaucracy or paperwork.

This term originated from the fact that legal and official documents were tied up or bound with red tape since the 16th century. By doing so, it was often difficult to access them. Hence, the term "red tape."

"it's Raining Cats and Dogs!"

Now, this is an interesting one.

This must sound like a very odd expression to someone just learning the language for the first time. There are a lot of things I have seen falling from the sky, but cats and dogs are not one of them.

How did this expression come about, then?

It's quite simple, really. It originated in England in the 1500's, when houses had thatched roofs. A thatch roof consisted of straw piled high, with no wood underneath. In cold, foggy England, this was sometimes the only place for an animal to get warm. Cats, and other small animals, like mice, bugs, and the occasional dog would go  on the roofs.

When it rained really hard, some of the animals would slip off the roof and wash up in the gutters on the street. Hence, the saying, "It's raining cats and dogs" ended up referring to a heavy rain.

thatched roofs        telhado de palha

foggy     nebuloso

gutters   calhas

An Arm and a Leg

"That's going to cost you an arm and a leg!"

This is a common phrase that means simply it's going to cost to the point of sacrifice. It's going to hurt. The price is high.

Where did such a phrase come into existence?

If we step back in time to George Washington's day, we would not see any cameras. For a portrait to be taken, it had to be painted, or sculpted.

This is a rather interesting fact, but if you notice old pictures, you will notice the paintings are of faces, or perhaps a person with one arm behind their back, or both arms. The truth is, in these times, portraits were not charged by the number of people who appeared in the picture, but rather, by the number of limbs that were painted.

If they wanted a cheaper painting, then it would "cost them an arm and a leg."Artists knew it took more time and effort since arms, hands and legs were more difficult to paint.

Excuse me please !!

Have you ever ordered at a restaurant in a foreign country only to get an ugly look from the waiter? Have you ever asked somebody to do you a favor, only then to have them refuse with an upset tone in their voice? Well, maybe your problem when speaking English comes down to a lack of politeness.

The English language is full of these little formalities which can definitely determine whether you’re going to make a good first impression on someone or not. We have this unspoken etiquette when asking for information, or even when we’re offering something and we have to take into consideration how we are offering it. Using please and thank you is necessary in most situations. In a lot of situations, people expect a sort of indirect way of speaking to each other, which in my opinion is a little silly. But hey, when in Rome do as the Romans do (follow the cultural rules wherever you are).

Making Requests/Asking For Something

When ordering in English, we have a standard of politeness. The most common way to order in English would be using:

Can I/Could I – Could I have a coxina please? Can I have a coke please?  Could I order please? Can you lend me ten dollars?

May I (used in more formal situations) – May I attend the meeting next week? May I join you for lunch?

Asking for Permission

A good tip when travelling to another country is to always ask if you’re unsure about the politeness of something. Sometimes what may be normal in your culture might be considered a little rude in someone else’s culture

Do you mind if ……………… / Would it be a problem if I ……………/ I was wondering if I ……………………… These three expressions can be used in any situation when asking for permission. When asking this way we also have to use a softer tone of voice. The reason we do this is because we want the person to know that if it’s going to irritate them, they have the option of saying no without feeling uncomfortable. Sounds crazy right? We’re so worried about offending the other person. That’s English for you.

Not Understanding

In English, when we don’t understand what someone says, the first reaction would be to say “sorry?” (in a soft tone of voice). Not “sorry” like “desculpa” but sorry like “oi?” This is the most common way, and it is considered to be polite.

Instead, always use:

Sorry? – It’s polite and they will repeat, maybe even simplify what they just said.

Pardon (me)? – A more polite way of saying sorry. This is sometimes used in a more formal situation.

Excuse me? – This is asking the person to repeat. Depending on the tone of your voice, it could express shock at what the person said, or maybe that you didn’t like the context of what they said.

Turning Down an Invitation/ Disagreeing

Last but not least, the awkwardness of having to say no to people. When travelling, or spending time in an English speaking country, we are always going to come across these situations.

Ladies (Or guy for that matter), have you ever had to turn a guy down but didn’t want to offend him? Or maybe you have had to disagree with someone, but you didn’t want to be sound defensive. In English, we use these softening tools to make what we say not so direct.

Turning Down an Invitation

§  I’m afraid I can’t…

§  I’d love to but…

§  That sounds great but…

Disagreeing

§  I see what you’re saying, but I think…

§  You could be right, but don’t forget that…

§  Yes that’s true, but I’m not sure that…

“Hey dude, do you want to come to my sisters spelling bee?”  “Hey, I’d love to, but Josh is making spaghetti tonight.”

“Hey sexy! I would love to buy you a drink.” “Oh, I’m afraid I can’t, I have boyfriend.”

.  So, my advice to you all would be to always try to use these polite expressions when in a foreign country, as you can never be too sure what is considered rude or polite in their culture.

Source: http://reallifeglobal.com/how-to-be-polite-in-english

With sport being the main topic of conversation at the moment, I thought it would be a good idea to look at some sporting idioms and their meanings.

Idiom / Saying	Explanation
A ballpark figure (actually a baseball term, but widely used in business in the UK too) For example:- I don't need an exact quotation, just give me a ballpark figure.	Rough estimate.
To get the ball rolling. For example:- If we don't get the ball rolling on this project soon we won't be able to deliver on time.	To get something started.
To keep your eye on the ball. For example:- You'll need to keep your eye on the ball on this project, the technology available is moving so quickly.	To remain alert.
To be on the ball For example:- You need to be on the ball with this customer, he's very clever.	To be quick to understand and react to things.
To play ball For example:- We'll all achieve much more if we just play ball.	To agree to do what someone asks you to do, in the way someone else wants you to do it.
A whole new ball game For example:- I'd done a lot of kayaking in the UK, but the rivers in the French Alps were a whole new ball game.	A completely different situation, often one which is difficult or which you know little about.
The ball's in someone's court For example:- Well I gave them all the information I could, and now the ball's in their court.	To have to do something before any progress can be made in a situation.
A balls up. For example:- He forgot his visuals, so the presentation was a complete balls up.	A bad mistake or shoddy job.
To beat (someone) to the punch (boxing) For example:- We have to get this new product out before our rivals beat us to the punch.	To make the first decisive move in a situation.
To get the boot For example:- They gave him the boot after he failed in his last project.	To be fired or let go from an organization.
It's not cricket For example:- It's not cricket to steal someone's web site.	If someone's behaviour or actions are not cricket, they are not honourable or moral.
To give it your best shot For example:- Whether you pass or fail in the test at least you'll know you gave it your best shot.	To put forth your best effort.
To have get-up-and-go. For example:- I can't play football any more. My get up and go has got up and gone.	To have a high personal energy level.
To go the distance (boxing) For example:- No matter what you say about him, he really went the distance on his last project. No one could have done more.	To carry through a course of action to completion.
To hit below the belt (boxing) For example:- They hit the workers below the belt when they closed the factory gates without any warning.	To act unfairly or unscrupulously. Lit: An illegal move in boxing
The rub of the green. For example:- France had the rub of the green when the referee didn't spot that handball.	To be lucky especially in a sport or pastime played on a green surface.
To jockey yourself into position. (Horseracing) For example:- He got the promotion after jockeying himself into position.	To put yourself into a good position to win something.
To kick something around. For example:- Let's just kick a few ideas around and see what we come up with.	To pass an idea from person to person. Lit: Passing the ball.

With the start of the world cup only a week away I thought it would be a good time to have a look at some footballing expressions. Below we have expressions in English you can shout at the T.V. and their meaning in Portuguese.