Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: Challenges and Progress
Explore challenges and progress with eight useful expressions, including a steep learning curve, get the hang of something, hit a brick wall. Read the meanings and examples, then use the language in eight B2 discussion questions.
What’s in the worksheet?
- Eight expressions with meanings and example sentences
- Eight matching discussion questions
- One printable page
- Open-ended speaking practice
Practise eight expressions for learning, setbacks and recovery. The page contrasts getting the hang of something, hitting a brick wall and turning things around, without treating persistence as always the right choice.
Worksheet preview
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Page 1 of 1 · A4 printable PDF
A simple way to teach it
Before the lesson
Use the adult B2 page with eight open discussion prompts and no fixed key. Hypothetical examples are welcome.
- Read the examples and put learning, blockage and recovery expressions into a possible project sequence. Explain the figurative meanings.
- Discuss support during a steep learning curve and ways to work through disagreement. Ask for reasons when comparing persistence with throwing in the towel.
- Consider an imagined setback that becomes a blessing in disguise. Review accurate phrasing and avoid assuming every difficulty has a positive outcome.
Support and extension
Support with a fictional course or team project. Extend by explaining which kind of help could allow recovery, rather than simply telling someone to try harder.
Suggested approach. Adjust the pace and number of questions to suit your class.
