In this episode, I interview Sandra Hamrouni, an experienced English as a Foreign Language Teacher, about the use and origins of idioms in the English language. We explain where they might have originated from, although the derivation is not always clear.

We use example idioms from two thematic areas here - animals and food - in the first of a series of short programmes to assist English Language learners get to grips with these sometimes problematic phrases.

Idioms such as, 'the elephant in the room', commonly used in business meetings nowadays and, 'low hanging fruit', frequently used by marketing teams, will be explored and explained. Sample sentences are given as to how they might be used in everyday conversations.

Sandra has taught English or managed English language programmes in many countries including Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Spain, Tunisia, Syria, Oman, Bahrain, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Cyprus, Algeria and the United Kingdom. We first met before we both went out to teach English in Kenya for Voluntary Services Overseas, a long time ago!

For more information about this podcast series, or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at [email protected] or visit my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ or my company page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-scott-lawton-consulting/?viewAsMember=true

Finally, please take a look at my website where I post additional content to support this podcast series: https://johnscottlawtonsenglishyouknow.wordpress.com/