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ESL forum >
Ask for help > Vocabulary questions
Vocabulary questions
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Pedro14
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Vocabulary questions
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Hi there, Last week I stumbled on this website while trying to find new stuff for my clases. I was amazed and today I �ve decided to register. I �m a newby with the internet and I just can handle with the basic things. I admit I �m a bit of a technophobe despite my age - I �m 25. Anyway, I �d like to say hello to everyone and ask you some vocabulary related questions which I haven �t been able to look up in the dictionary. First, does anyone happen to know if there is an idiom in English to express that something is very unlikely to happen? One of my advanced students asked me some days ago and I couldn �t give him an answer. In Spanish we say "When pigs fly". Second, is there any other coloquial expression smilar to "What a drag"? Whenever i tell my students they have to do something and they don �t feel like it, they tend to say that expression. Could they say "what a nuisance" instead? Third, In Spain some workers may be given some time off their work - a year or two- so as to get a language certificate, needed to continue working in their posts. In Spanish this idea is lexicalized, "liberar" What about English? I told my student this could be expressed saying "be given some time off work" I couldn �t think of any other way.In some dictionaries it is said "be freed", which I don �t find to be natural at all. Thanks for your time and assistance. |
19 Apr 2015
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Leland
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Fat chance, when hell freezes over, when pigs fly |
19 Apr 2015
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cunliffe
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Leland �s answers are good. �Fat chance � is common. �What a nuisance � is a bit priggish! Mine always just say, �Bor-ing! This is bor ..... ing! � This response used to drive me crazy until I went on a course and the correct response to this kind of thing is, �Well, maybe it is, but let �s get on with it... � Sometimes people have a sabbatical to do a course or improve their skills. Welcome to this wonderful site, Lynne |
19 Apr 2015
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karagozian
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I used to Be a technophobe at almost 60, and still am a little bit. I can tell you that this site is fabulous and helped me out of that lethargic situation. It gave a new sense to my teaching. Before you know you will find it fun. Do try and you will soon be happy to make part of this fantastic family. I cannot imagine teaching anymore without it Thank you ESL Printables !!! |
19 Apr 2015
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maryse pey�
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What about the GAP YEAR for the year you will attend a language course ? |
19 Apr 2015
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cunliffe
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Hi Maryse, students take a gap year and they go off to exotic places or get a job. Workers - and it tends to be academics, go on a sabbatical, usually for a year or two. They follow a course of study which will help them in their post, or something they have always wanted to do. I haven �t heard of anyone doing this for a long time and I think it is to do with austerity. Lynne |
19 Apr 2015
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maryse pey�
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Thanks Lynne for the explanation. I wondered if I was right and you answered my question. |
19 Apr 2015
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Matthew@ELSP
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Hi. To express the belief that something is highly unlikely, you could also say "...and I �m a monkey �s uncle...".
Obviously as an idiom the words in the phrase make no sense if you break them down.
Regarding time taken off work in order to study, there is the simple phrase "___ leave" as in "study leave", for example.
Welcome to ESLP, I hope you enjoy it and can make good use of it. |
19 Apr 2015
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joy2bill
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When pigs fly.....when the sea turns to yohurt. What a drag....bummer Welcome to our site. Don �t worry about being a techniphobe. I have learnt so much since I have been on this site and I am in my sixties. So enjoy! |
19 Apr 2015
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