by Steven Rashba, ARM, 越南直播
If I don鈥檛 鈥渟hake a leg鈥� and finish this quickly, my boss will go 鈥渢hrough the roof,鈥� but it is so difficult to do since I鈥檓 鈥済reen around the edges鈥� and feel like 鈥渁 fish out of water.鈥� I鈥檓 鈥渂etween a rock and a hard place;鈥� perhaps 鈥淚 have bitten off more than what I can chew.鈥� Or perhaps I should 鈥渒eep a stiff upper lip鈥� and go 鈥渇ull steam ahead.鈥濃�疉fter all, there is 鈥渘o use in crying over spilled milk!鈥�
American English, like many languages, is filled with idiomatic expressions that can be very difficult for the non-native, or perhaps even non-local, speaker to understand.鈥疊ut we can help.鈥疌lasses at 越南直播鈥檚 English Language Institute not only teach students about grammar, reading, listening/speaking and research writing skills, but also focus on the living language 鈥� understanding how people speak 鈥� the expressions people use on a daily basis. ESL not only involves study but also requires extensive practice since the student鈥檚 goal is mastering a vibrant, living, and ever-changing language.
UB English Language Institute classes not only introduce students to common idioms but also provide the opportunity to study/use them in context.鈥疧ur classes employ a series of idiom-laden class readings and activities for students to use their critical thinking skills to decipher meanings.
One of the class readings is about foreign doctors who come to the United States to practice.鈥疊ecause these doctors are well versed in textbook and medical English but have never been exposed to 鈥渟treet language,鈥� idioms, and slang, they encounter difficulties communicating with their patients.鈥疐or example, when told that his patient was feeling 鈥渦nder the weather,鈥� the doctor asked if it was going to rain.鈥疭imilarly, a pediatrician was confused when his young patient complained of a 鈥渢ummy鈥� ache; after all, the word 鈥渢ummy鈥� is informal and does not appear in most medical dictionaries.鈥疉nother article described its protagonist as being 鈥渟ick and tired鈥� of having his car 鈥渂roken into,鈥� subject to misinterpretation as expensive car repairs leading to exhaustion and illness.
Idioms and informal language may not help with research essays and academic presentations, but a general understanding and awareness certainly makes the transition into American university life far easier for students.鈥疻hen asked, 鈥淲hat鈥檚 up,鈥� our students are likely to answer, 鈥淣ot much; how about with you,鈥� and not 鈥渄ark clouds.鈥�
The English Language Institute and the Bridge to College program are part of UB鈥檚 College of Science and Society.
Steven Rashba, ARM, is the Director of Modern Languages and the English Language Institute and currently teaches Advanced ELI 140 (Research Writing for ESL Students). The English Language Institute welcomes international students with Intermediate and Advanced English language proficiency. Rashba has been affiliated with UB for 23 years and is one of the world鈥檚 approximately 3.95 billion bilingual (or more) speakers. A dedicated runner and cyclist, Rashba and his students are active members of Greater Bridgeport Toastmasters and Toastmasters International.
Steven Rashba, ARM, is the Director of Modern Languages and the English Language Institute and currently teaches Advanced ELI 140 (Research Writing for ESL Students). The English Language Institute welcomes international students with Intermediate and Advanced English language proficiency. Rashba has been affiliated with UB for 23 years and is one of the world鈥檚 approximately 3.95 billion bilingual (or more) speakers. A dedicated runner and cyclist, Rashba and his students are active members of Greater Bridgeport Toastmasters and Toastmasters International.