A pair of catch-words

A pair ofAn EFL learning activity adapted by Vctor Lugo

catch-words

SUBJECT: Catch-wordsTOPIC: Two idiomatic expressions used to indicate embarrassment.

LESSON OBJECTIVES:Learners will understand what two common idiomatic expressions in English mean.

Learners will create a recording in which they describe an embarrassing situation they have lived or witnessed and share it with the other members of the forums.

According to www.dictionary.com, a CATCH-WORD (or catch-phrase) isa memorable or effective word or phrase that is repeated so often that it becomes a slogan, as in a political campaign or in advertising a product.

BACKGROUNDWhat is a catch-word?

And, elementary is also the lesson Maura & Harp (2009) give us about two of these catch words:To put your foot in your mouth

and

To make a fool of yourself

First: Listen to Harp and Maura

Talking about these two expressions in the next slide.N.B. Do not click on the slide, it moves automatically.

catch word

to put your foot in your mouthto put your foot in ithe has his foot in his mouthstick her foot in her mouthOpen mouth, insert foot!make a fool of yourself

to put your foot in your mouthmake a fool of yourself

Second: Create your AvatarAn Avatar is a virtual representation of a person. For the next activity, you will create your Avatar to tell us a short story.To create it, go to: http://host-d.oddcast.com/.

You have two alternatives:Use a photo you have on your computer, choose the Upload photo link on the left side of the webpage and wait for a few seconds to see the photo on the screen, adapt it and start recording, orUse one of the Avatars available there, you can use one of a celebrity, if you like.

Finally:Using your Avatar, create a recording to tell us about one situation in which you or a person you know, have put your foot in it or made a fool or yourselves. Use the ADD AUDIO and Use Mic links below your picture.

When you finish, post the link on the forum and share it with the other learners. If you prefer, send it to yor teachers/tutors e-mail address.

Ah, the most important thing: have fun!

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ReferencesGuy, J. (n.d.) [Online Image]. Americas hottest husbands. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://www.redbookmag.com/love-sex/hot-husband/hot-husbands-2008.Maura & Harp. (Hosts). (2009, August 31). Expression: To put your foot in your mouth. [Podcast]. Culips ESL podcast. Montreal. Culips.com. Retrieved on September 2, 2009 from http://esl.culips.com/?p=859.Maura and Harp hugging. (n.d.). [Online Image]. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://esl.culips.com/?page_id=553&lang=cn&photo=6.Laughing frogs. (n.d.). [Online Image]. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://boards.msn.com/LatinoMujerboards/thread.aspx?threadid=883276.Leonard, J. (n.d.). Rude laughter. [Online Sound Effect]. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://www.soundsnap.com/search/audio/RUDE+LAUGHTER/score.Man with a paper bag on his head. [Online Image]. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://chinavillamellera.wordpress.com/2008/01/.Mulletgod.org. (Photographer). (2009). Putting your foot in your mouth, (literally). [Online Image]. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://mulletgod.org/site/?p=300.Photo of Maura. (n.d.). [Online Image]. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/photo_maura.jpg.Photo of Harp. (n.d.). [Online Image]. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from hPut your foot in your mouth. [Online Image]. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://www.goenglish.com/PutYourFootInYourMouth.asp.ttp://esl.culips.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/photo_harp.jpg

ReferencesSaturn devouring his son. (1 September, 2009). Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_Devouring_His_Son.Sherlock Holmes. (n.d.). [Online Image]. Retrieved on September 2, 2009 from http://espaciolibros.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/sherlock-holmes-thomas-watson.jpg.Shriek Productions (n.d.). Body damage choking. [Online Sound Effect]. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://www.soundsnap.com/node/13552.The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. (2002). Angry man shouting and pointing a finger. [Online Image]. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://www.businessweek.com/business_at_work/bad_bosses/archives/2008/07/bad_boss.html.Wenn. (Photographer). (n.d.). [Online Image]. Retrieved on September 2, 2009 from http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2008/09/04/if-a-size-one-is-fat-where-does-that-leave-the-rest-of-us.Wheezy wearing a T-shirt reading Im with stupid. (n.d.) [Online Image]. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://www.rightandleftbrainsolutions.com/blog/why-when-the-going-gets-tough-stupid-things-happen/.Woman wearing a pink T-shirt reading Im not pregnant, Im just really fat. (n.d.) [Online Image]. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://www.mommasreview.com/2009/08/are-you-pregnant-again/.Woman with a tall guy. (n.d.) [Online Image]. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://www.flickr.com/photos/rose_peacock/3356217299/in/photostream/.Woman with foot in her mouth. (n.d.). [Online image]. Retrieved on September 3, 2009 from http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/u521/woman%20w%20foot%20in%20mouth.jpg.