Travel & Culture - Learning Local Slang and Phrases (Upper-Intermediate)

Activity 1: Let's Get Started! 🤔 (Warm-up Discussion)

Let's discuss the colorful world of informal language in different cultures.

How does learning local slang and informal phrases provide a deeper connection to a place and its people beyond what standard language learning offers?
What are the potential pitfalls or risks of using slang in a foreign language? How can a traveler use it appropriately and avoid causing offense?
Share an example of a slang term or idiom from your own language. How would you explain its meaning and appropriate usage to a visitor?

Activity 2: New Words & Phrases 🗣️ (Vocabulary Expansion)

Enhance your vocabulary for discussing informal language at an upper-intermediate level.

1. Slang (noun): A type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restricted to a particular context or group of people.

Example: "He picked up some local Slang from his friends at the cafe, which made him sound more like a native."

2. Idiom (noun): A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words (e.g., "raining cats and dogs").

Example: "Learning a language's Idioms is challenging because their meanings are not literal."

3. Colloquialism (noun): A word or phrase that is not formal or literary, typically one used in ordinary or familiar conversation.

Example: "Using a Colloquialism like 'what's up?' is common among friends."

4. Get the hang of something (idiom): To learn how to do something; to acquire the skill for a particular task.

Example: "After a few weeks, she started to Get the hang of the local accent and slang."

5. In context (prepositional phrase): Within the circumstances or facts that surround a particular event, situation, etc.

Example: "It's best to learn new slang phrases In context to understand their true meaning and usage."

6. Figure of speech (noun phrase): A word or phrase used in a non-literal sense for rhetorical or vivid effect.

Example: "When he said he was 'over the moon,' it was just a Figure of speech to express his happiness."

Activity 3: Reading - Speaking Like a Local 📖

Read this account of a traveler trying to incorporate local language into her conversations.

Chloe was spending a semester in Manchester, England, and was fascinated by the local speech. She noticed her classmates used a lot of Slang and Colloquialisms that were very different from the standard English she had learned. For instance, they often said they were "chuffed" to mean they were very pleased. Instead of just being confused, Chloe started making a small list of these terms. She understood that learning a language also meant understanding its informal side. She found it challenging to know when to use these words, as she knew that using Slang incorrectly could sound strange. She realized understanding the terms In context was crucial.

One day, a friend invited her to a football match. Chloe mentioned that she was excited but also a bit confused by all the different chants and expressions. Her friend laughed and explained some of the common phrases and Idioms used by fans. During the match, Chloe started to Get the hang of when to cheer and what certain chants meant. She even used the term "chuffed" when their team scored, and her friends were delighted. She learned that a Figure of speech or a local Idiom, when used correctly, was more than just words; it was a way of sharing in a collective emotion and building camaraderie. It helped her feel less like an outsider and more a part of the local experience.

Questions about the Story:

Answer these questions:

What was the initial challenge Chloe faced with the English she heard in Manchester?
Why was Chloe initially cautious about using the local Slang she was learning?
What did Chloe have to do before she could Get the hang of the fan chants at the football match?
How did using a local Colloquialism like "chuffed" correctly affect her interaction with her friends?
What did Chloe learn about the function of a Figure of speech or an Idiom beyond its literal meaning?

Activity 4: Role Play - Deciphering Local Expressions 🎭

Let's pretend! One person is Liam (Tourist), and the other is Sofia (Local Barista).

Liam: Hi there, I'd like a flat white, please. By the way, I keep hearing people say things are "sweet as." Is that a local Colloquialism?

Sofia: (Laughs) It is! You've picked up on our local Slang quickly. "Sweet as" just means "great" or "no problem."

Liam: Ah, I see! I'm trying to Get the hang of the local speech. It's full of interesting phrases.

Sofia: It certainly is. A lot of our expressions are Idioms, so their meaning isn't obvious. You have to learn them In context.

Liam: I agree, Context is key. Someone told me to "bring a plate" to a party. I almost brought an empty one!

Sofia: (Laughs) That's a classic misunderstanding! It's a Figure of speech here that means you should bring a dish of food to share.

Liam: That makes so much more sense. So, if I said, "Thanks for the coffee, sweet as!" would that be correct?

Sofia: Perfectly correct! You're starting to sound like a local. It takes a while to Get the hang of it.

Liam: It's fun trying to learn the different Slang and Idioms. It makes the experience more immersive.

Sofia: For sure. Most locals are happy to explain a Colloquialism if you ask. Here's your flat white. Enjoy!

Let's Talk About It:

After you read, talk about this:

What did the Colloquialism "sweet as" mean in this context?
What misunderstanding did Liam almost have with the Figure of speech "bring a plate"?

Activity 5: Let's Practice - A Traveler's Language Journal ✍️

Help Maria (Traveler) complete her part of a conversation with her friend, David, about her language learning experiences. Use words and phrases from Activity 2!

David: So, Maria, how's your language learning going over there? Are you picking up the local lingo?

Maria (Traveler): I'm trying! The local is so interesting. There are so many words that aren't in my textbook.

David: Like what?

Maria (Traveler): Well, a lot of what they say is an , like "it's not my cup of tea." It took me a while to understand that .

David: That must be confusing!

Maria (Traveler): It is! But I'm starting to it. I've learned that understanding things is the only way. For example, a simple like "cheers" can mean thank you, hello, or goodbye!

David: Wow! Sounds like you're becoming an expert.

Maria (Traveler): Hardly! But it's fun learning all the different informal expressions.

Show Answers! (Activity 5) ✨