sing English when communicating with a non-native speaker of English. English as a Second Language (ESL) will be used to denote a non-native speaker. Most Americans expect that business communications will be conducted in English. In order to maximize communications, speakers of English should be aware of several aspects of our language that make communication very difficult, even with a person who has studied our language for many years. Here are a few examples. Imagine that the ESL individual is a business person from another country, with whom you are meeting. The attached worksheet should be completed.

Using English when Communicating with a Non-Native Speaker of English

English as a Second Language (ESL) will be used to denote a non-native speaker.

Most Americans expect that business communications will be conducted in English. In order to maximize communications, speakers of English should be aware of several aspects of our language that make communication very difficult, even with a person who has studied our language for many years. Here are a few examples. Imagine that the ESL individual is a business person from another country, with whom you are meeting.

I. Idioms

1A. Here are a few common idioms. Explain the meanings on the right.

Keep your eyes peeled! __Be vigilant for something or watch out for something
Out in left field – Strange or odd
Sitting on the fence- describes someone’s neutrality or indecision
A green thumb- possessing the skills or talent to grow healthy plants
Two left feet- describes someone who is awkward or clumsy, especially on the dance floor.

1b. Write two more idioms:

Get cold feet- to become nervous
Give someone the cold shoulder- to ignore a person

1c. What is an idiom? __it is an expression or a group of words with figurative meaning. Idioms are used in an imaginative or unusual manner.

1d. Would an ESL be likely to understand idioms? Why?

Understanding idioms can be a daunting affair for ESL. Since idioms usually have a hidden message, they need to be learned first before listeners can understand their applications. Since ESL mostly struggle to understand English, understanding how idioms are used in the English language can also be challenging.

1e. When speaking with an ESL, would it be better to use the idioms above or the meaning you provided? Refrain from using idioms and instead give the direct meaning.

II. Proverbs:

2.a..Here are some common proverbs. Can you complete these?

You can’t have your cake __eat it
You can’t teach ___an old dog new tricks
Blood is thicker than water
If the shoe fits, wear it
What comes around goes around

2b. Write two more proverbs:

A bad workman blames his tools
A chain is only strong as its weakest link

2C. What is a proverb? a proverb is a simple, short, metaphorical traditional quote that expresses a truth based on experiences and common sense.

2d. Would an ESL person be able to understand these American proverbs? Why?

Compared to idioms, proverbs are easier to discern and apply in everyday experiences. Their meanings are usually somewhat direct, which means they can be easily understood by an ESL person.

III. Translation

Many people depend upon electronic translation programs to decipher foreign languages. Using one of these programs, enter a nursery rhyme, such as "Twinkle, twinkle little star...", translate it into a language of your choice, then translate it back to English. Theoretically, it should come back the same as the original. What did you find? Which language did you use?

“Twinkle, twinkle little star from English to Spanish translated to “Brilla brilla pequena estrella.” When I translated the Spanish phrase back to English, I received “Shine sparkles small star”.