Teaching English as a Foreighn Languages through Proverbs

Abstract

this paper will explore on how teachers can make use of proverbs to keep the students interested in learning English. Basically, proverbs reflect human experience across cultures and languages, which contain folk wisdom tested throughout the time. In relation to language teaching, they can be used to teach, among others, speaking, writing, grammar, vocabulary, culture, and values. Teachers can invite the students to make some comparison between English proverbs and local proverbs to start with. Looking for similarities and differences in proverbs from two different cultures may trigger students’ curiosity to learn further. Introducing a foreign culture and values can be carried out through the use of proverbs. In line with the current issues of teaching character building, proverbs can be used in teaching character building as well.