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Every day we hear different proverbs used in our discussions.  A proverb is defined in the English dictionary as “a short well-known expression that states a general truth or provides advice.”  Proverbs are also often referred to as “sayings.” They are a favorite way for teachers to impart age-old wisdom to students, and especially useful for parents trying to help children learn valuable life lessons.  If you are presently taking ESL classes, you will find that studying and even implementing some of these words of wisdom into your everyday conversations will help you further understand the language.  Learning common proverbs will also aid your understanding of some common phrases that are often shortened versions of longer proverbs.  Here are 10 of the most common proverbs (and their meanings) that you’re likely to hear as you continue your English learning adventures.

1.    People who live in glass houses should never throw stones.
You shouldn’t criticize others unless you have no faults yourself.

2.    A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Going with a sure thing is better than risking an unknown.

3.    A miss is as good as a mile.
A miss is a miss regardless of how much you missed by.

4.    A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Regardless of how strong you think something is, it is still vulnerable at its weakest point.

5.    An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
It’s easier to prevent something in the first place than to fix it afterwards.

6.    A word to the wise is sufficient.
A smart person only needs to be told something once.

7.    A thousand mile journey begins with one step.
Focus on getting started instead of the length of the total journey.

8.    Actions speak louder than words.
You can demonstrate more of what you mean by doing something instead of just talking about it.

9.    He can’t see the forest for the trees.
Sometimes we get too focused on little things instead of seeing the big picture.

10.    He who hesitates is lost.
Sometimes an opportunity will pass you by if you take too long to make a decision.

There are hundreds of proverbs in the English language, many of which can be found in various collections in libraries and bookstores.  You can also find many sites online that provide free word games and puzzles that allow you to test your knowledge of some common proverbs by filling in blank portions of the saying.  It’s a great way to practice English language skills, so the next time you hear someone say, “It never rains but it pours”, you’ll know that they’re using a proverb. Try using some during your ESL lessons and you’ll most definitely impress your teacher and classmates!

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.englishlci.com as the original source).

Hi

The need to speak English in your job is becoming more important in countries such as India as business becomes more global. This can put additional pressure on you, the final year college student, who is seeking employment with a large multi-national company.

Basically the spoken English skills you currently have may not be sufficient for you to have the career you want. There is no question that this is one of the gaps in English Language training that is currently available in the marketplace - that is, transforming your social English into professional English.  For example, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Can I succeed in an interview conducted in English?
2. How will I cope with speaking English throughout my working day?
3. What skills do I need on the telephone when speaking in English?
4. How do I run an effective meeting in spoken English?
5. Am I able to give a management presentation in English?

For some people, these tasks can be difficult even when conducted in their native language. Just think of the additional pressure or stress that this could create if conducted in a second language! That is why training of these skills is so imortant to final year students and young professionals.

Let’s not underestimate this, it could really transform you, your self-confidence and your career. As a result, one such English Professional course has been created and will be rolled out in the classroom in India during the remainder of 2009. An on-line version will be available in December of this year.

Remember that education is a continual process. If you think your spoken English is okay, ask yourself, “Are my spoken English skills sufficient for the workplace?” And even if they are, we could all benefit from some additional skills that come about by learning interview techniques, public speaking skills, etc. 

Let’s learn together, Poppy