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American Slang and Idioms That Will Blow Your Mind
Learn over 250 practical American idiomatic expressions to sound like a native speaker. Avoid translation pitfalls and infuse vibrancy into your language.
Last updated
8/2024
Appropriate for all
Level8h 31m
Full lifetime access
Access on laptop, tablet and mobile devices
Certificate of completion
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Overview
If you already have some proficiency in English and wish to sound more like a native speaker, you have come to the right place. This course focuses on helping you master informal and casual American expressions, commonly known as American idioms, which are essential for sounding like a native American English speaker.
Immersive Learning Experience
American English is rich in slang, idiomatic expressions, and informal phrases that are not typically found in standard textbooks. These linguistic nuances are commonly used in everyday conversations, movies, and various forms of media such as books, newspapers, magazines, and television shows. This course is designed to familiarize you with these popular American expressions, enabling you to comprehend and use them effectively.
Comprehensive Content
This comprehensive course encompasses over 250 of the most common and practical idiomatic expressions and phrases used in today's language. By mastering these American expressions, you can infuse vibrancy and authenticity into your speech, making it sound less formal and more natural. Moreover, understanding these American idioms will enhance your comprehension of written and spoken American English.
Challenges of Translating Idioms
Many English learners often make the mistake of translating idioms word-for-word, leading to confusion and misunderstanding. Idioms should be understood as cohesive phrases with meanings that may not be deducible from the individual words. Attempting to translate them directly can result in nonsensical interpretations.
Understanding Idioms in Context
For instance, consider the idiom "out of this world," which is often used to describe exceptionally delicious food. This demonstrates how idioms and phrases carry contextual meanings that cannot be derived from literal translations. Therefore, grasping idiomatic expressions as a whole is crucial for accurate interpretation and effective communication in English.
Understanding American Idioms and Expressions
If you host a party and serve a delicious chicken dish, your American friend might exclaim, "This chicken is out of this world!" If you were to translate this phrase word for word, you might wonder, "Which world is the chicken in?" and "Why is she commenting on the chicken being in a world at all?"
Consider another example. Imagine you are part of a tennis team that has won every game for the past 5 months. Instead of simply stating, "Our team is lucky because we keep winning game after game," you could use an American expression: "Our team is on a winning streak." Doesn't it sound better?
When using these expressions and American idioms, it's important to remember that their word order and structure are often rigid. In other words, you need to get the word order exactly right. For instance, I recently assisted a student with his English homework, and he told me, "You've got a golden heart." While he was attempting to use idiomatic English, the correct expression is: "You've got a heart of gold."
By adding idioms and expressions to your speech and writing, you can enhance your language skills just as you would by expanding your vocabulary. It might be beneficial to write down all the expressions from this course on notecards and review them whenever you have free time. Good luck!
Who this course is for
What you'll learn
Requirements
Course Content
21 Sections 101 Lectures 8h 31m total length
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