Idioms List

October 3, 2019June 1, 2020 Paul Huber

Idioms List

An idiom can be a phrase, saying, or a set of words that have a metaphorical definition. The use of idioms is accepted both in daily conversation as well as in a business setting.

Learning Idioms in Context: Lily’s Belief in Life

A blessing in disguise
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
A little learning/knowledge is a dangerous thing
You can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs
You can’t judge a book by its cover

Learning Idioms in Context: Robert’s Big Dream

A dime a dozen
A penny for your thoughts
A snowball effect
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink
You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar

Learning Idioms in Context: Gary’s Path To Success

Beat around the bush
When it rains, it pours
Well begun is half done
A snowball’s chance in hell
A stitch in time saves nine

Learning Idioms in Context: Todd’s Student Life

Bite the bullet
Break a leg
Weather the storm
A penny saved is a penny earned
A storm in a teacup

Learning Idioms in Context: The Productive Life of James

Call it a day
Cut somebody some slack
Wrap your head around something
We see eye to eye
Waste not, want not

Learning Idioms in Context: Leticia’s Jobs

Cutting corners
Get your act together
Under the weather
Bent out of shape
The best of both worlds

Learning Idioms in Context: A Mother’s Love

Hit the sack
It’s not rocket science
The last straw
A perfect storm
Miss the boat

Learning Idioms in Context: Making New Friends

Let someone off the hook
On the ball
Barking up the wrong tree
Cost an arm and a leg
Throw caution to the wind

Learning Idioms in Context: A Young Man Lived In A Village

Bite off more than you can chew
At the drop of a hat
On a wild goose chase
Rain on someone’s parade
Take a rain check

F-1 Visa: Can You Work In The U.S. With A Student Visa

September 30, 2019October 1, 2019 Paul Huber

The United States is one of the leading countries that provides quality education, especially in English language teaching. Hence, many international students wish to do their English language improvement classes there. However, studying in the U.S. involves a substantial investment, like tuition, housing, and food. Besides, the diversity of culture in the United States is an invitation to expand your academic horizons.

Is the last day of your English class term fast approaching and you don’t know what to do or where to go? Would you like to be productive, improve your curriculum with customer service, and to receive a salary? Would you like to improve your level of English by developing an English-speaking culture? Several university students arrive on their vacations wondering this and, like you, they are ready to change their routine and do something profitable with their free time.

More about F-1 Visa

It can be a bit complicated for students to get a job in the United States, but not impossible. International students must apply for the F-1 Visa or the J-1 Visa. Acquiring, any of these visas will depend on you. You should meet all the requirement, and you should have the resources to finance your studies without having to work. Aside from other distinct prerequisites of obtaining your F-1 visa, there are other things that you need to remember. Take into consideration the period to stay in the country and the option to study while working. This post will focus more on the latter.

Generally, immigration authorities prohibit international students with an F-1 Visa from working while they are studying. On the other hand, there are some ways that they can work and study at the same time, without violating immigration regulations. F-1 visa holders cannot work outside the campus any time in the first year of their studies. Under some situations, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may permit an international student to look for a job after one year of study.

The applicant for a student visa in the United States must come to the country to pursue an academic program, at an institution recognized by the United States government. A student/applicant must have a valid educational objective to come to the United States and be a full-time student. Typically, the F-1 student visa is issued at the consulate or the U.S. embassy in the student’s country of origin.

Travel with an F-1 student visa

International students may enter the United States several times if they have a valid F-1 student visa. Students with an F-1 visa must have have all the necessary documents and signed authorizations. This is to avoid problems entering in the U.S. People with an F-1 Visa can also travel freely within the United States.

Work with an F-1 student visa

Students can work on campus, but they should be enrolled in the school. Students can apply for a Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to gain experience in their field of study while they are full-time students. They can take the opportunity to do an Optional Practical Training (OPT) once they have completed their degree.

In summary, although U.S. immigration laws can prohibit students from working and studying at the same time, there are some ways to get it done legally. You have to explore the possibilities. If you have more questions about the student visa process, an academic adviser at your school can be a great resource or contact an immigration lawyer. In terms of making sure you have the right program or if you wish to study and enhance your English Language proficiency in the United States, visit POLY’s program or contact us to assist you better.

Study English In The USA: Basic Practices That You Need To Know

September 26, 2019September 29, 2019 Paul Huber

Below are some essential things that you need to know that are connected to American culture. These are basic practices that are part of the American culture that you must learn to develop when you plan to study English in the USA. Familiarizing these things will make your interaction more meaningful and can easily communicate with Americans:

A strong sense of gratitude

Americans express appreciation for almost everything. This is one of the essential values in the USA. The sending of famous “Thank you” cards has become a habit for Americans. These cards are sent to thank someone who hosted a party, a dinner or a special meal. Even war veterans are thanked when they return from Iraq, Africa, or wherever they came from.

Respect for the law

Americans have high respect for the law. They are being taught that it is crucial to comply with the rules to live in a harmonious society. With this, try to get to know the legal issues of the state to avoid inconvenience when you wish to study English in the USA. The national flag and symbols are respected, so make sure to keep silent and listen carefully when the national anthem is sung.

Religion is important

Religion is an essential matter in the US, and it is vital to familiarize yourself with religious holidays. Without belonging to any religious group, you can offer assistance to churches that has a feeding program for the poor. You don’t need to be affiliated with religion as long as you can help.

Learn to cook

An invitation to eat is a usual American custom. This is one way of interacting with co-workers, neighbors, etc. It is prevalent in the US to meet for dinner. So preparing a special recipe to surprise your guests is a fantastic way to impress them, but if you do not know how to fry an egg, then you can choose to buy a meal instead. Make sure to learn a recipe and adapt to the local cuisine.

Learn their greeting practices

Hugging and kissing are the most common ways to greet others. When you plan to study English in the USA, make sure to read more about how the locals are greeting each other. Hugs are used to congratulate for the birth of a child, for a graduation or anniversaries, etc. Make sure to inquire very well about that state where you are since it could vary from one place to another.

Know the appropriate visiting hours

Always respect or follow the hours to visit. It is inappropriate to visit a person without prior notice. Every student who wishes to study English in the USA must take time to familiarize this because it can be considered as a lack of respect unless it is an emergency. When you are decided to study English in the USA, you should familiarize yourself the acceptable hours to visit a friend or classmate.

Master the measurement system

You must learn about the measurement system because knowing how to express in inches, feet, yards, and miles, is part of everyday conversations. With this, you should take this issue seriously. Fahrenheit is used instead of Celsius when it comes to temperature. An excellent practice to help you familiarize them is to activate the thermometer in ºF in your car to be related to cold or hot temperatures.

Learn the way to write dates

Educate yourself on the correct way to write dates. In the American system, it is written in this order: Month, Day, and Year. The first three letters of the corresponding month are also accepted, for example, Sep, May, Aug, etc.

Learning Idioms in Context: Todd’s Student Life

September 23, 2019September 25, 2019 Paul Huber

Here is an interesting story about a student who is courageous and friendly. You’ll find idiom definitions, example sentences, conversations, and a short quiz after reading the story.

It’s an excellent opportunity to ponder how good the life of a successful student who weathered the storm. His name is Todd, and he has done well for his student life. He has a circle of friends who are supportive of each other. When one of them needs support, whether it be moral or financial, all of them are there to lend a hand. If there is a need to bite the bullet to solve someone’s difficulty in the group, they will bravely face it.

Jim, one of Todd’s friends, always drops a note to Todd saying “break a leg” before his weekly quiz starts. That’s how encouraging Jim as he is consistently very sincere to all of his friends. One day, Todd came to see Jim because he heard that Jim had encountered an issue paying his contribution to their group project. He suggested that they should start to save a portion of their daily allowance so that they can pay their future project expenses next time. Months passed, and they had saved enough. After that, they firmly believed that penny saved is a penny earned.

Todd’s life is not so perfect, of course. Friends come and go, but he always learns how to accept all inevitable parts of life courageously. Occasionally, he saw his classmates arguing on things, but he realized it was a storm in a teacup. He didn’t bother to include himself in those situations. At a young age, he felt that his student life became more manageable when he learned to master the art of embracing challenges.

Bite the bullet

Meaning

to face a difficult situation bravely and endure it for an extended period

Example Sentences

I am now determined, so I had to bite the bullet and take my Chemistry classes although I know that these are always tough classes.

I never liked cleaning, but I bite the bullet as I don’t want to have a messy and dirty surrounding.

A: It seems that you look exhausted in the past few months. Are you happy with your job?

B. I am not. I need to bite the bullet and look for a different job next month.

Break a leg

Meaning

to wish or tell someone good luck before he/she performs

Example Sentences

“Hey Isaac, I hope you break a leg tonight in your recital.”

Maine always drops a note to say “break a leg” to her best friend before the final examination.

A: Tomorrow will be my thesis defense.

B: I wish you all the best of luck on your thesis defense. Break a leg!

Weather the storm

Meaning

to survive difficult situations or problems and successfully solve them

Example Sentences

The president frightened his staff due to unsatisfactory job performance, but no one resigned and decided to weather the storm.

Bea tried to weather the storm and refused to resign in her company.

A: You have been so patient with the team’s policy. Things are becoming complicated. What’s your plan for the next few months?

B: I know that things will get better so I will weather the storm.

A penny saved is a penny earned

Meaning

it is crucial or wise to save money

Example Sentences

Bob has been saving a portion of his monthly salary because he believes that a penny saved is a penny earned.

Children are advised by their parents to work hard to save money when they get to the corporate world someday. Their parents knew that a penny saved is a penny earned.

A: You should celebrate and reward yourself. Let’s go shopping tomorrow!

B: I am sorry. I can’t go because I have started saving money from my monthly salary. I realized that a penny saved is a penny earned.

A storm in a teacup

Meaning

people are very upset, angry or annoyed on minor things or those that are not important at all

Example Sentences

The issue is not too serious, but Jim’s wrath is unreasonable, just a storm in a teacup.

Pamela won’t be angry for long about what happened last night; it’s only a storm in a teacup.

A: Why are the neighbors arguing again? What’s the problem?

B: We should get used to them; they are always arguing, but it is usually a storm in a teacup.

Quiz

Bella decided to just ___________ to complete her term paper and accepted that she would not play computer games this weekend.
“_____________” Nico’s mother shouted out to him before he started his presentation.
Denzel and his friends were strong enough to ____________ as they completed their final term paper.
You must save at least 10% of your monthly income because ______________.
Martha thought that the entire matter is nothing but ___________ and that it would solve quickly.