This is mostly a note to the web devs, but input is welcome from everyone:
I'm a native born American and I don't recognize but maybe 20-25% of all the idioms listed in the idioms section. I think there are WAY too many regional idioms there. I'm from Oregon and only ever lived here, so maybe that has something to do with it?
At any rate, given the difficulty of learning a new language, especially English, and especially all the countless idioms we have, it is imperative to minimize these idioms to the most essential for ESL students to study first. They should be categorized and limited to the most universally understood of them, and optionally by region if possible. I'm sure certain of them are more commonly used in certain areas of America, but that would require a team effort to help identify these regions, possibly by survey.
Anyway, I think I've made my point. Many of my students like to know which idioms are actually most commonly used and understood. I have had some try to learn some on their own and end up saying something to which I reply, "huh?" lol... Thanks.
I'm a native born American and I don't recognize but maybe 20-25% of all the idioms listed in the idioms section. I think there are WAY too many regional idioms there. I'm from Oregon and only ever lived here, so maybe that has something to do with it?
At any rate, given the difficulty of learning a new language, especially English, and especially all the countless idioms we have, it is imperative to minimize these idioms to the most essential for ESL students to study first. They should be categorized and limited to the most universally understood of them, and optionally by region if possible. I'm sure certain of them are more commonly used in certain areas of America, but that would require a team effort to help identify these regions, possibly by survey.
Anyway, I think I've made my point. Many of my students like to know which idioms are actually most commonly used and understood. I have had some try to learn some on their own and end up saying something to which I reply, "huh?" lol... Thanks.