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At EF Teach Online, we provide the technology to connect teachers and students worldwide. Here you'll find tools, tips and teacher stories to power your online classes.

Helena Marilican ‹ Teach Online

Sometimes it can be challenging to work out when to respond to a student or when to interject when teaching online. Waiting for the right moment can pose all kinds of issues, especially if there is a delay or lag.  
Here are five reminders to help you when you find yourself in a class dealing with a potentially awkward silence. 
<ol>
<li> Silent moments support learning</li>
</ol>
In our fast-paced global society, we often feel we need to fill in all the gaps. Silence is not encouraged. In fact, it is discouraged, and we are encouraged to think of silence as an uncomfortable and unnatural situation. Sometimes, a moment’s pause can be a time for both teacher and student to collect their thoughts. It is important that we debunk the idea of silence being awkward to avoid filling the void with teacher talk that may not be suitable. Remember to breathe and enjoy the silence rather than always trying to fill it. 
<ol start="2">
<li> Turn-taking varies between cultures</li>
</ol>
In the UK, responding as soon as the other person finishes what they are saying in a conversation is common practice. For example, a couple of seconds of silence may be acceptable but any longer and most people start to feel the pressure of finding something to say as quickly as possible. On the other hand, in some cultures, it is customary to wait in silence for much longer before you respond. Teachers should be careful when responding to ensure they don’t speak over students and interrupt their train of thought. The teacher may risk seeming impatient or ingenuine if they speak too soon. Considering the students’ backgrounds and cultures is extremely important in this case.
<ol start="3">
<li> Quality is more important than quantity</li>
</ol>
It is essential to pay attention to the quality of our teacher talk. Instead of simply reducing your teacher talk, think about how you can make instructions and language presentations clearer and more concise. In addition, you can support and check students’ understanding by asking instruction-checking questions (ICQs) when setting up a task or by asking concept-checking questions (CCQs) when introducing or reviewing target language. Another way of checking for understanding is by encouraging peer-to-peer interaction and getting students to share task explanations and examples. 
<ol start="4">
<li> Internet delays are inevitable but manageable</li>
</ol>
When teaching online, there may inevitably be a lag of a few seconds from when your voice reaches the student’s audio and vice versa. This is perfectly normal and does not necessarily mean that either you or the student are experiencing technical issues. However, it’s helpful to use the time at the start of the lesson to take note of any delays so that you can factor this into your lesson delivery. This will help to prevent you from speaking over the student by accident. You can also encourage the student at the start of the lesson to wait a moment before responding after you have finished your instructions. 
<ol start="5">
<li> There’s a solution for every issue </li>
</ol>
Technical issues happen and can be expected from time to time in an online class. Even the fastest internet connection does not make teachers or students immune to tech issues. Offer tech support to students by sharing tips with them at the start of a lesson or a course. For example, introducing the following phrases in the early stages can help students troubleshoot issues: 
<ul>
<li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="1">Refresh your page </li>
<li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="1">Switch your device </li>
<li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="1">Remove any additional tabs </li>
<li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="1">Turn your phone to flight mode </li>
</ul>
Teaching and reviewing these tips can help build students’ digital literacy skills and their confidence – this is especially important if they are new to the online classroom. Also, removing cookies and cache routinely alongside closing unnecessary applications and Internet tabs helps avoid a slow connection. Finally, if tech issues are common, reaching out to others for support, whether it is the Internet provider or the IT team in the school, usually resolves the matter. 
 
Learn more about EF Teach Online <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/teachonline/">here</a>.

Sometimes it can be challenging to work out when to respond to a student or when to interject when teaching online. Waiting for the right moment can pose all kinds of issues, especially if there is a delay or lag.   Here are five reminders to help you when you find yourself in a class dealing …

How to Avoid Awkward Silences - EF Teach Online

How to Avoid Awkward Silences ‹ EF Teach Online

How to Avoid Awkward Silences

How to avoid awkward silences

Following on from our five food-related idioms and their history in our idiom series, let’s look at some commonly used idioms with a tech theme for all the tech lovers out there. Let’s see how long it can take you to remember some of the following expressions and their backgrounds.  
Here are five English idioms related to technology and their origins to whizz you into the future and help you ace your next technology-related lesson. 
 
To be on the Same Wavelength 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19384" height="200" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Wavelength-300x200.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Wavelength-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Wavelength.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition: If you are on the same wavelength, you have the same thoughts, the same intentions; understand the same thing, and agree with somebody. 
Similar expressions: Singing from the same hymn sheet  
Example: “After chatting for only 5 minutes, we already knew we were on the same wavelength”. 
Possible Origin: The first records of the expression “on the same wavelength” come from the 1920s, as this was when private citizens started to purchase radios for personal use. The phrase alludes to the fact that if two radio stations are literally on the same wavelength, you would hear both stations simultaneously on your radio. If this were the case, you would not be able to determine what was broadcasting due to them being on the same frequency. In the early days of radio transmission, this was a common occurrence. Not great when singing along to your favourite song! 
 
Wheels within Wheels 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19385" height="225" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wheels-300x225.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wheels-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wheels.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition: It means there is a lot of bureaucracy, hidden or unknown reasons that make a situation very complicated, complex and slow. 
Similar expressions: To be stuck in a fix   
Example: “Wheels within wheels. You’ve got to fill in an application form, you’ve got to have a follow-up call, you’ve got to have three interviews. It takes forever to apply for a job”. 
Possible Origin: One of the oldest references to this expression is in the book of Ezekiel, written during the Babylonian captivity (6th century BCE). Babylonian astronomy had been recording star and planetary positions for several hundred years and in other parts of the world, stone circles like Stonehenge and Atlit Yam (Israel) were already ancient. “As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of a chrysolite; and the four had the same likeness, their construction being as it were a wheel within a wheel”. – Ezekiel 1:16. This expression may be related to the idea of <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epicycle#:~:text=Definition%20of%20epicycle,on%20within%20a%20larger%20one">epicycles</a>, where objects move in circles around a point which also moves in circles. We now know that moons orbit planets this way, while planets only appear to do so as they orbit the sun. This was something that seemed fascinating yet impossible to our ancestors, who had limited knowledge of space and no access to modern satellites – enough to make your head spin. 
 
To be at the Cutting Edge 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19386" height="200" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/leader-300x200.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/leader-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/leader.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition: to be right there in the lead, at the front especially regarding technology. 
Similar expressions: Avant-Garde   
Example: “Your company is always at the cutting edge. They are a leader!”  
Possible Origin: This idiom gained popularity in the 1950s due to the rise of modern household and convenience appliances and is still commonly used to describe anything novel or new, especially in our tech-filled world. However, many people believe that it refers to the plough as with advancements in the late 18th and early 19th century, farmers could increase productivity but decrease the amount of time on the task at hand. As society was still mainly an agriculturally based one, the advances in plough technology were felt by all, and it was indeed the cutting edge. 
 
To Get Your Wires Crossed 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19387" height="200" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wires-300x200.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wires-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wires.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition: If you get your wires crossed, then you misunderstand someone without intention.  
Similar Expressions: Get the wrong end of the stick  
Example: “I arranged to meet Sally at the park, but we must’ve got our wires crossed”.  
Possible Origin: This expression alludes to an accidental connexion between telephone or telegraph wires of different lines or circuits and holds its origins in the latter part of the 19th century. A text by Charles Dickins contains an early occurrence of the phrase and explicitly alludes to an accidental connexion; it is from The St. Joseph Herald (St. Joseph, Missouri) Wednesday 30th December 1891: He got his wires crossed, “telephonically” speaking, and applied at the Central police station for a marriage license. Now hopefully, there is less chance of getting your wires crossed unless you decide to fix the kitchen circuits before calling an electrician – not recommended! 
 
To Hold the Phone  
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19388" height="200" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Phone-300x200.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Phone-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Phone.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition: This expression means to stop what you are doing and await further instructions.  
Similar expressions: Wait just a minute  
Example: “Hold the phone…there are some interesting developments”   
Possible Origin: This expression dates back to the early 20th century when news reporters would phone in with their stories and often tell their editors to hold the phone as new stories developed. Back then, the main telephone body connected to a separate receiver, with a jack mounted, sometimes directly, sometimes on a desk cord, to the wall. The distance between the base of the phone and the receiver was limited, so if you wanted to check something, you would have to leave your current position for a moment or perhaps for longer. As switchboard operators connected calls, the process would have been much longer-winded than it is today and therefore made more sense for the editor to wait than to hang up and redial
 
Learn more about EF Teach Online <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/teachonline/">here.</a>

Following on from our five food-related idioms and their history in our idiom series, let’s look at some commonly used idioms with a tech theme for all the tech lovers out there. Let’s see how long it can take you to remember some of the following expressions and their backgrounds.   Here are five English idioms related to …

Five Tech-Related Idioms and their History - EF Teach Online

Five Tech-Related Idioms and their History ‹ EF Teach Online

Five Tech-Related Idioms and their History

Five tech related idioms and their history

English speakers love using idioms in conversation, and you’ll find that no matter how many idioms you have memorised or written down you will still hear new ones. You might read them in books, hear them used on the TV and in films and of course when you are communicating with others. It is important to know, that there may be several idioms for one saying so knowing how to use these in everyday life will impress your friends, family, and boss!  
However, idioms can sound very strange sometimes and when we look into them more deeply, we often discover a fantastic and fascinating story that makes us want to learn more. In addition, in her thesis (2010) on using <a href="https://open.library.ubc.ca/media/stream/pdf/42591/1.0078029/1">picture books</a> in teaching, Sarah Lim shows us that stories and images can help with retaining vocabulary when learning a language, so why not try this method with verbs and adjectives too and see how it can increase your knowledge of the English language? 
Here are five English idioms related to nature and its origins which you can use in your next nature-related lesson. 
 
Head in the clouds 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-18945" height="300" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Head-in-the-clouds-copy-300x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Head-in-the-clouds-copy-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Head-in-the-clouds-copy-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Head-in-the-clouds-copy.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition:  If someone has their head in the clouds then they are impractical or unrealistic and are out of touch with the everyday world. 
Similar expressions: absentminded, head in the air 
Example: “He always has his head in the clouds!” 
Possible origin: The use of this expression was believed to have been first used in the 17th century and was used to refer to someone who was not grounded in reality. As many people worked in agriculture, this expression would have resonated with those working outside in the fields. There is an example from Trawl from 1903, ‘The Laureate crost over the lawn with the dreamy head-in-air gait that was known through five parishes round.’ From <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345338146/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0345338146&linkCode=as2&tag=phrases09-20&linkId=6292f5ecec234baa432cc59833132479">The Dictionary of Cliches</a> by James Rogers. 
 
Under the weather 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-18946" height="300" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Under-the-weather-copy-300x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Under-the-weather-copy-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Under-the-weather-copy-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Under-the-weather-copy.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition:  Slightly unwell or in low spirits 
Similar expressions: feeling blue 
Example: “He is feeling a little under the weather today” 
Possible origin: <a href="https://www.phrases.org.uk/">The Phrase Finder </a>mentions that in ancient times when a sailor was feeling ill or seasick, he would be sent below deck so he could get away from being under the harsh weather. In addition, in Salty Dog Talk: The Nautical Origins of Everyday Expressions by Bill Beavis and Michael Howorth, this phrase was originally meant to feel seasick.  
 
Neck of the woods  
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-18947" height="300" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Neck-of-the-woods-copy-300x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Neck-of-the-woods-copy-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Neck-of-the-woods-copy-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Neck-of-the-woods-copy.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition:  A particular area 
Similar expressions: my turf 
Example: “I didn’t expect to see you in this neck of the woods” 
Possible origin: 
In Bill Bryson’s Book Made in America, the claim is made that the origin of “neck” is the Algonquian (North American language) word “naiack” which means point or corner.  
 
Nature calls 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-18948" height="300" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Nature-calls-copy-300x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Nature-calls-copy-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Nature-calls-copy-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Nature-calls-copy.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition: This is a saying for going to the bathroom and that you cannot wait. While frequently used when relieving yourself when in nature, it can also be used to excuse yourself from a social situation. 
Similar expressions: spend a penny 
Example: “Don’t wait for me, nature calls!” 
Origin: Preceding its use as a euphemism, ‘call of nature’ was used to describe our desire to enjoy the pleasures of rural tranquillity. The euphemistic meaning was coined in the mid-18th century and began appearing in printed material at that time. Here’s an early example from Laurence Sterne’s 1761 novel <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0141439777/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0141439777&linkCode=as2&tag=phrases09-20&linkId=bd974d7ad8c402844955327a663b8f8b">The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman</a>: Shew me a city so macerated with expectation – who neither eat, or drank, or slept, or prayed, or hearkened to the calls either of religion or nature, for seven-and-twenty days together, who could have held out one day longer. 
 
Make a mountain out of a molehill 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-18949" height="300" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Make-a-mountain-out-of-a-mole-hill-300x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Make-a-mountain-out-of-a-mole-hill-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Make-a-mountain-out-of-a-mole-hill-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Make-a-mountain-out-of-a-mole-hill.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition: To make a mountain out of a molehill is to make more of a fuss over something than it’s really worth. 
Similar expressions: make a fuss 
Example: “Stop making a mountain out of a molehill mum, I’ll be back at 11!” 
Origin: Making a mountain out of a molehill is an idiom referring to over-reactive, histrionic behaviour where a person makes too much of a minor issue. It appears to have come into existence in the 16th century, at a time when farming was significant. To many farmers, moles are considered pests so a mountain would not be favourable in their fields which shows us how this expression may have come about. 
 
As we can see every idiom has a story and knowing more about that background can help us to understand and memorise these expressions much more easily. Teaching idioms can often feel overwhelming, and as a teacher, you probably don’t want to spend too much lesson time-sharing long stories. Therefore, some great ways to teach these could be by having an idiom of the day, finding a link between the students’ native language and the idiom, or by encouraging your students to learn about an idiom related to a particular topic and then share it in the next class e.g., business idioms. Often getting your students to teach their peers will give them added confidence and it will likely make them more enthusiastic in using these interesting expressions.  
 
Learn more about EF Teach Online <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/teachonline/">here.</a>

English speakers love using idioms in conversation, and you’ll find that no matter how many idioms you have memorised or written down you will still hear new ones. You might read them in books, hear them used on the TV and in films and of course when you are communicating with others. It is important …

Five Nature-Related Idioms and their Origins - EF Teach Online

Five Nature-Related Idioms and their Origins ‹ EF Teach Online

Five Nature-Related Idioms and their Origins

Five nature related idioms and their origins

Following on from our <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/ef-teach-online/19129-2/">five idioms related to animals and their history</a> in our idiom series, let’s look at some of the most commonly used idioms with a food theme for all of you foodies out there. Let’s see how long it can take you to remember some of the following expressions and their backgrounds. 
Here are five English idioms related to food and their origins to tempt your tastebuds and which you can use in your next food related lesson. 
 
A Piece of Cake  
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19291" height="300" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Cake-300x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Cake-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Cake-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Cake.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition:  If something is a piece of cake then that means it is easy or simple to complete. 
Similar expressions: As easy as pie 
Example: “I can do this test, it’s a piece of cake!” 
Possible Origin: This expression may have arrived in the UK at some point during the 19th century where cakes were often given out as prizes for fairs or village fetes. This gave rise to the phrase, ‘a piece of cake’ as meaning something that was easy to accomplish. The term was first used by Ogden Nash who wrote, “her picture is in the paper now and her life’s a piece of cake.” Since then, this term has been used to describe exams, competitions or even a challenge when showing off your abilities. 
 
Cry over Spilt Milk 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19292" height="300" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Milk-300x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Milk-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Milk-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Milk.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition: Feeling sorry or sad about something that has already happened. The expression emphasises that this is unhelpful as there is nothing you can do about it 
Similar expressions: Beating yourself up 
Example: “You have already missed the bus, there’s no use crying over spilt milk” 
Possible Origin: The first use of this expression is dated back to 1888 in a book by George Ogilvy Preshaw: Banking Under Difficulties. However, a variation of the phrase was first used in 1659 by British historian and writer James Howell in one of his books, Paramoigraphy where it quotes, “no weeping for shed milk”. The reason this expression became quite widespread and common may have been due to the importance of the dairy industry in the UK. According to David Taylor in his book, the English Dairy Industry, 1860-1930, milk was in fact the most sold item by English farms at the end of the 19th century and because in the 1800s approximately 90% of British people were either farmers, had a small hold or worked on a farm, we can imagine that a lot of milk must have been spilt as a result. This is why this expression may have gained popularity, because people would have understood that there really was no use crying over spilt milk! 
 
Cup of Tea 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19293" height="300" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Tea1-300x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Tea1-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Tea1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Tea1.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition:  If something is your cup of tea then it is something you enjoy or like. 
Similar expressions: Right up my street 
Example: “This series is completely your cup of tea. You are going to love it!” 
Possible Origin: The use of the idiom, ‘my cup of tea,’ has been used since the late 1800s as tea has been an important drink in many cultures throughout history. In the early 20th century, a ‘cup of tea’ was used to mean that you held a certain affinity or affection towards something and in reflected in Binnie Hale’s 1937 song ‘A Nice Cup of Tea’. It also appears in print in William de Morgan’s 1908 novel, Somehow Good, when Sally states that Fenwick is a cup of tea. Now this phrase is an everyday phrase and is also the name of several TV shows and dramas and is still as widely used as ever because let’s face it who doesn’t like a nice cup of tea?! 
 
Take with a Pinch of Salt 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19294" height="300" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Salt-300x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Salt-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Salt-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Salt.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition: If you take something with a pinch of salt then you do not believe that it is 100% accurate or true. The more incredible parts of the story should be taken with a pinch of salt. 
Similar expressions: To shrug something off 
Example: “He’s always thinking up excuses, best to take what he says with a pinch of salt” 
Possible Origin: This expression holds its origins in ancient Greece and the idea comes from the fact that food is more easily swallowed if taken with a small amount of salt. Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia, 77 A.D mentions the method of preventing poisons once used by King Mithridates VI of Pontus, ‘be taken fasting, a grain of salt’. Moreover, the phrase has been in use in English since the 17th century; for example, in John Trapp’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, 1647, “This is to be taken with a grain of salt“. By the mid-20th century, the word ‘grain’ had been altered to ‘pinch’, which remains in use today, although we should be careful not to add too much salt to our cooking of course! 
 
To Butter Someone Up 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19295" height="300" sizes="(max-width: 298px) 100vw, 298px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Butter-298x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Butter-298x300.jpg 298w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Butter-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Butter.jpg 568w" width="298">
Definition: Flatter or praise someone as a means of gaining their help or support. 
Similar expressions: To suck up to someone 
Example: “If you butter up your mum, she will let you go to the concert” 
Possible Origin:  
This phrase has its origins in ancient India possibly even up to 3600 years ago and refers to ghee butter which is traditionally used in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. It was used in ancient religious rituals where it was a popular practice to throw balls of ghee butter onto sacred sculptures of various deities in reverence as an offering. This was carried out to request blessings from them, such as health, good fortune and a prosperous harvest. The phrase may have been brought over to the UK during the 19th Century and has since been adopted as a widely used expression to praise or flatter someone in an effort to gain something in return. 
 
Learn more about EF Teach Online <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/teachonline/">here</a>.

Following on from our five idioms related to animals and their history in our idiom series, let’s look at some of the most commonly used idioms with a food theme for all of you foodies out there. Let’s see how long it can take you to remember some of the following expressions and their backgrounds.  …

Five Food-Related Idioms and their History - EF Teach Online

Five Food-Related Idioms and their History ‹ EF Teach Online

Five Food-Related Idioms and their History

Five food related idioms and their history

Following on from our <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/ef-teach-online/five-tech-related-idioms-and-their-history/">Five Tech-Related Idioms and their History </a>in our idiom series, let’s look at some commonly used idioms with a medical theme. Let’s see how long it can take you to remember some of the following expressions and their backgrounds.  
Here are five English idioms related to medicine and their origins to remember the next time you are in the doctor’s waiting room.  
To keep at arm’s length 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19580" height="200" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/To-keep-at-arm%E2%80%99s-length-300x200.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/To-keep-at-arm’s-length-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/To-keep-at-arm’s-length.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition: to keep something/someone away from you and stop them from getting too close. 
Similar expressions: Won’t go near someone with a barge pole  
Example: “I knew as soon as I entered the room, I had to keep him at arm’s length”. 
Possible Origin: During the 1600s, the idiom started as keep at arm’s end, but by the 1700s the phrase keep at arm’s length was used. In addition, Shakespeare had used an early version of the idiom in the play As You Like It, believed to have been written in 1599: “Thy conceit is nearer death than thy powers. For my sake, be comfortable: hold death awhile at arm’s end.”. In the past, people used body parts to measure different distances, and in general, the correct etiquette was to bow or curtsy at a slight distance. Therefore, to invade someone’s personal space would have been considered rude or disrespectful in most situations, especially amongst the upper classes during those times. 
 
On the tip of my tongue 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19581" height="199" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/On-the-tip-of-my-tongue-300x199.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/On-the-tip-of-my-tongue-300x199.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/On-the-tip-of-my-tongue.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition:  A moment of forgetfulness/ something you know but have forgotten at that moment. 
Similar expressions: Lost my train of thought  
Example: “It was on the tip of my tongue all day, but I just could not remember her name” 
Possible Origin: This term is originally known as TOT (tip of tongue) or lethologica and is credited to psychologist Carl Jung in the early part of the 20th century. However, the earliest clear record is in the 1915 edition of Dorland’s American Illustrated Medical Dictionary, where lethologica is defined as the ‘inability to remember the proper word’. This expression may have increased in popularity as our understanding of the mind and medicine has increased. 
 
To get something off one’s chest 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19582" height="200" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/To-get-something-off-one%E2%80%99s-chest-300x200.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/To-get-something-off-one’s-chest-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/To-get-something-off-one’s-chest.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition: to make an important statement or confession to feel better about oneself. 
Similar expressions: Own up to something  
Example: “I had to tell someone what had happened at the office to get it off my chest!”  
Possible Origin: From the 18th century there are plenty of novels and books where negative things are referred to as “weighing” upon people or causing inner turmoil. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the phrase, “get something off one’s chest,” as meaning “to relieve one’s mind by making a statement or confession,” and cites as its earliest example “1902 Daily Chron. 27 Sept. 3/2 The desire is either to deliver a message to the world or to express the individual personality—to ‘get it off your chest’ is the horrid, vulgar phrase.” It was during this time that doctors carried out a lot of research on human bodies as they tried to understand anatomy. It could be one reason this phrase suddenly became popular. 
 
To give/lend someone a hand 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19583" height="200" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/To-givelend-someone-a-hand-300x200.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/To-givelend-someone-a-hand-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/To-givelend-someone-a-hand.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition: If you give/lend someone a hand. 
Similar Expressions: Lend a helping hand 
Example: “I helped Sean move house because he needed someone to lend him a hand”. 
Possible Origin: This expression appears in some literature in the 16th Century for example in 1598 J. Florio’s Worlde of Wordes “The retainer doth some service, that now and then…lendes a hande ouer a stile”. This expression probably came about because in the past most labour was manual labour, so when you ‘lent someone your hand’ you were also giving up your precious time to help someone else and not being paid for your work. The equivalent expression might be, “lend me your phone or laptop”. 
 
Joined at the hip 
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19584" height="200" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Joined-at-the-300x200.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Joined-at-the-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Joined-at-the.jpg 568w" width="300">
Definition: This expression means you are inseparable from someone 
Similar expressions:  Stuck together like glue 
Example: “They are joined at the hip; they never seem to be apart” Possible Origin:  This expression dates back to the 1960s. The earliest printed record I can find is from the Californian newspaper the Pasadena Star-News, March 1963: “The two organizations [Caltech and the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce] were so closely knit … they were practically joined at the hip.” The Biddenden Maids could also be alluded to in this expression, with Biddenden cakes being handed out since the 1700s in the small town. They are biscuits that contain an image of twins joined at the hip and shoulder. In addition, this expression may have arisen during this time as city populations grew and people became more accustomed to differences and diversity.  
 
Learn more about EF Teach Online <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/teachonline/">here</a>.

Following on from our Five Tech-Related Idioms and their History in our idiom series, let’s look at some commonly used idioms with a medical theme. Let’s see how long it can take you to remember some of the following expressions and their backgrounds.   Here are five English idioms related to medicine and their origins to remember …

Five Body-Related Idioms and their History - EF Teach Online

Five Body-Related Idioms and their History ‹ EF Teach Online

Five Body-Related Idioms and their History

Five body related idioms and their history

What is the affective filter? 
The affective filter is a theory which shows that language cannot be processed or learned if a learner is blocking the learning process, even if they are not aware of this. A student can have a high affective filter or a low affective filter: the higher the filter, the more probable it is that their language learning will be impeded; the lower the filter, the more likely it is that language learning will take place or be much smoother. 
 
How does it impact learning? 
If the filter is high, then this means that the student may be under significant stress or has a lot on their mind. This could be a result of a combination of external and classroom-based factors. For example, some students may have taken a break from the classroom and may now find themselves in a situation where they need to speak in front of a group. They may not wish to be embarrassed in front of their peers. Another instance is if a student is distracted during the lesson by external factors, then their concentration will be much lower, and they may not feel as if they have the necessary knowledge to complete the task at hand.  
 
How can we help students? 
The situations described above can all hinder and obstruct language learning so let’s look at five areas where we can try to lower the affective filter and students’ stress levels. 
 
<ol>
<li> Error Correction and Feedback</li>
</ol>
Receiving feedback, especially if it is done ineffectively or inappropriately can cause high anxiety levels in students. For example, when I first started teaching, I remember taking a class where I gave too much praise which did not appear genuine, and students did not respond very well to this as a result. Thus, make sure you give feedback in a balanced way, especially if you notice a student is lacking in confidence. For every correction give one or two pieces of praise for example, “That was a great sentence and your pronunciation was very clear. Make sure to use the article here”. In addition, it is vital to be specific with your feedback and to give clear explanations. For example, “you said I tooked. You don’t need -ed as took is past.’’ Finally, pay attention to your tone of voice when giving feedback and ask yourself how you would feel receiving this type of feedback? 
 
<ol start="2">
<li> Student Production</li>
</ol>
Forcing student output prematurely in the lesson or expecting too much at the start can knock a student’s confidence and increase their affective filter. During the introduction part of the lesson, we need to pay attention to which students are struggling, whether it is someone’s first lesson, or whether they have just moved up a level. They may not be feeling self-assured so let them know they can speak when they feel comfortable, I often did this in my lessons and students responded well. In addition, some teachers use elicitation as a strategy at the start of the class as this enables students to share and build on what they already know. Hesitant students can then follow when they feel more relaxed and comfortable adding their ideas. 
 
<ol start="3">
<li> Instruction Giving</li>
</ol>
Students who don’t understand the instructions whether fully or partially are often prone to feeling embarrassed even though it is not their fault. Making your instructions clear and concise and asking a variety of instruction-checking questions can help to avoid this. I have taught lessons where students have misinterpreted the instructions at the start of the lesson, and it has paved the way for further misunderstandings later on in the lesson. A few instruction-checking questions can help gather immediate feedback on the clarity of your instructions so that you can make amendments and clarify (if needed) going forward. Finally, in addition to clear instructions, it is key to grade language to the correct level, even though you may have more confident students in the lesson, it is best to grade your language to the lower students’ level.  
 
<ol start="4">
<li> Lesson and Task Expectations</li>
</ol>
As with the above point, students who don’t understand the lesson aims and how each step links to the next can also have a high affective filter. It can make it problematic for them to achieve the lesson goals and can make them feel frustrated and upset. Once a teacher came to me for advice because her students were constantly unsatisfied which made the teacher frustrated too. A way to overcome this is to briefly outline the expectations at the start of a lesson in written and verbal form. In addition, it often helps to model an activity or task before assigning it to the students to show them what you want them to do and how. Thirdly, a wrap-up activity at the end of the lesson helps students to recap and recognise the progress they have made. 
 
<ol start="5">
<li> Interaction Patterns</li>
</ol>
This is an especially important point for larger classes, often containing a wide variety of student personalities and subs levels within one level. If students are paired or grouped incorrectly this can cause a significant amount of stress for some students. It is a good idea to first gauge where the students are at and to pair them according to ability and personalities. For example, if there is a student who needs more support then practising yourself with this student one-on-one can be effective in building their language and confidence – I used to do this in my lessons and I saw the difference it made to students. In addition to ability, with interaction patterns, it is important to also pay attention to additional factors like student background, culture and beliefs so that students are paired in a way that helps to increase their overall levels of confidence and maximise productivity in the classroom. 
 
To summarise, the above are all key areas in which you as a teacher can encourage students and boost their overall confidence levels however even if things don’t go to plan straight away then take small steps, and focus on one element at a time and remember that being a teacher is as much about learning as it is about teaching. 
 
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Learn more about EF Teach Online <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/teachonline/">here</a>.
</div>
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What is the affective filter?  The affective filter is a theory which shows that language cannot be processed or learned if a learner is blocking the learning process, even if they are not aware of this. A student can have a high affective filter or a low affective filter: the higher the filter, the more …

Confidence Boosting in the Online Classroom - EF Teach Online

Confidence Boosting in the Online Classroom ‹ EF Teach Online

Confidence Boosting in the Online Classroom

Confidence boosting in the online classroom

Online teaching and learning have increased during the last decade and enjoyed a boom since the start of 2020 during the global lockdowns. However, there is still a certain lack of awareness surrounding online education and a common view that teaching online is still second-best.   
Let’s look at the common myths surrounding teaching online and how we can debunk these.   
<h3>“Isn’t that just video messaging?”    </h3>
Thankfully post-2020, the idea of only using one simple platform to interact online has faded into a distant memory. With so many apps and programs accessible at our fingertips most people have a much better understanding of what is available now. During 2020 and beyond, increasing numbers of people, from school children learning online to my own grandparents hosting virtual meetings with their singing group, have become more comfortable with communicating online. We have been able to experience the joys of seeing long lost friends from our sofas and attend classes in our track bottoms. This is now not just a luxury but a part of our daily lives that we are becoming accustomed to and are not willing to give up.    
<h3>“Online education can be good, but it doesn’t replace face to face education.”   </h3>
There are benefits to both ways of delivering classes and it’s true that teaching and learning online is not for everyone and vice versa. It depends though on different factors, for example, personality, or personal circumstances among others. In our 21st-century world it is important to have diversity of choice and opportunities that can suit everyone. Having the option to teach from the comfort of your home is an opportunity that many people relish and, as we have seen over the last few years, have taken up in droves. A good lesson is not just about the location but about the experience and therefore an online classroom is just as real as a physical classroom.     
<h3>“I’m not tech savvy, I could never do that”    </h3>
While it is true that you need to be able to manage some features whilst in a virtual classroom, you certainly do not have to be a tech whizz or have a degree in ICT. Many of our teachers have never taught online before they start with EF and are sometimes anxious, which is of course normal. Nevertheless, confidence comes with time, and they are now some of the biggest advocates for teaching online and have never looked back! Some of them are even sharing their suggestions with us of what they would like the future of online education to look like.     
<h3>“You must be lonely teaching online”    </h3>
This is something that is completely dependent on who you are talking to. Lacking physical interactions, you would experience in an office may make some people feel secluded; however, online teachers are able to travel the globe and meet people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life from their own homes. Likewise, only because you are based within a physical office does not mean you cannot feel isolated. Many people do not speak to their co-workers as often as they would wish or may even find it difficult working in larger groups. Teaching online can help you eliminate many of the distractions you might find in an office, to focus on genuine conversations. Finally, overall productivity has been shown to increase in remote workers.  
<h3>“It must be difficult to find a work/life balance when teaching from home”    </h3>
On the contrary, many teachers choose to teach online because they find a great work/life balance working from home. Many of the online teachers I talk to have additional jobs, study on the side, are juggling childcare or have an elderly relative to care for. These are all things that they can balance alongside teaching online and it can in fact, make it easier having the flexibility to choose their schedules and manage their own time. From my own experience balancing childcare with work, I could say teaching online has been a lifeline. It has been nothing but positive for me and now my son even takes his language classes online demonstrating that the next generation sees online education as a valuable and exciting part of their lives.  
 Sharing our own positive experiences with others is one simple way that we can change mindsets related to online education. There is still a long way to go but we are certain that the future of online teaching is extremely bright and exciting.  
 
Learn more about EF Teach Online <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/teachonline/">here</a>.

Online teaching and learning have increased during the last decade and enjoyed a boom since the start of 2020 during the global lockdowns. However, there is still a certain lack of awareness surrounding online education and a common view that teaching online is still second-best.    Let’s look at the common myths surrounding teaching online and …

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Helena Marilican

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