What is the weather like today?
The weather is an integral part of our life as it affects our habits and activities, our mood, even our decisions. The weather is everywhere! No wonder it?s a common topic of conversation. Undoubtedly, talking about the weather can be an ice-breaker and an easy way to start a conversation since it?s a neutral topic, does not require intimacy and you can talk about it under any circumstances.
But why do the English like talking about the weather so much? To quote Samuel Johnson ?When two Englishmen meet, their first talk is of the weather?. Perhaps, it is compatible with their mentality for the reasons mentioned above. Moreover, England is a rather wet country; so, they have to take into account the weather forecast on a regular basis.
Consequently, the English language abounds with words related to the weather or aiming at answering this frequently raised question ?What is the weather like, today?? There are numerous noun phrases which describe either severe weather conditions or more gentle ones. Vocabulary connected with the weather and having literal or metaphorical meaning is commonplace in syllabus both for young learners and more advanced ones.
What I mostly enjoy, when I am about to teach vocabulary which is relevant to the weather, is teaching idioms or phrases and collocations with figurative meaning, since teaching can be supported by using pictures, comics and drawings. Weather vocabulary can be accompanied with songs and movies, as well.
Thus, both learning and teaching can be fun since talking about the weather gives a boost to both teachers? and students? imagination and creativity and can be the stimulus for several projects. Weather idioms allow us to talk about our emotions in an effective and inspiring way and give a vivid description of many situations which can trigger off further discussion. Boring as the question ?What is the weather like today?? may seem in the first place, I reckon talking about the weather can serve cognitive and metacognitive purposes in a blended foreign language classroom.
So, do not hesitate to ask them, both young and more advanced learners, ?What is the weather like, today??
Eugenia Koutsoumbou
