Speak like a native speaker – Slang expressions and practice exercises

It’s often difficult to understand native English speakers when they use slang, so learning and using slang words and phrases helps you speak more naturally and fluently. Using slang also helps you understand English people and their culture. But be careful! Problems can arise because British English and American English expressions and slang are frequently quite different!

Check out the comparison –

Expressions	UK English	USA English
Greetings	Hiya; Ya alright?	Hey; What’s up?
Farewells	Cheers; Ta-ta	See you later
Agreement	Spot on; Quite right; Yea	Exactly; You’re right!; Yep
Disbelief/Surprise	Blimey!; Crikey!; You’re having me on!	No way!; You’re kidding me!; Seriously?
Annoyance/ Frustration	Oh for heaven’s sake!; I’m fed up!	Oh come on!; Give me a break!
Approval	Brilliant!; Lovely!; Super!	Great!; Awesome!; Fantastic!
Confusion	I’m lost	I don’t get it
Encouragement	Keep at it, you’ll be fine!	Keep going, don’t give up!

Practice exercise 1: UK vs USA slang

Using slang is not just about expanding vocabulary, it is about bridging the gap between language and culture. By embracing slang, language learners can navigate the intricacies of real-world communication with confidence and cultural competence. It’s cultural immersion at its best! As ESL learners, you can unlock the vibrant tapestry of English slang, effortlessly enriching your language proficiency and fluency.

Choose the correct phrases for each country.

I beg your pardon. I apologize.	Spot on! Exactly!	Ta. Thanks a lot.	Say again? Pardon?
Ta-ta. See you later.	You’re kidding! You’re having me on!	I don’t get it. I’m lost.	Gimme a break! I’m fed up!

Expressions	UK English	USA English
Surprise
Asking someone to repeat
Confusion
Apologies
Farewells
Agreement
Frustration
Gratitude

Practice exercise 2: Everyday slang

Slang expressions are informal and used by specific groups or cultures, whereas idioms tend to be more formal expressions that often have a deeper, underlying meaning. Slang is generally used when speaking, rather than writing, and can be a mix of fixed phrases, words, and abbreviations. Using slang enhances your fluency and communication skills, adding richness and authenticity to your English conversations.

Let’s learn some slang by matching some common slang expressions with their definitions.

Slang word(s) with examples

Definitions

Cool/Awesome (e.g. That new phone is so cool! / Your new phone is awesome.) Chill (e.g. After work, I just want to watch a movie and chill.) Bummer (e.g. What a bummer that the concert was cancelled!) Hangry (e.g. Let’s stop now, I’m hangry and need something to eat!) Gotcha (e.g. Let’s meet at 6. / Gotcha!) No biggie (Sorry I’m late. / No biggie, we just got here.) Couch potato (e.g. My brother is such a couch potato, he’s lazy and never wants to do anything!) Buddy (e.g. Hey buddy, shall we go out for lunch now?)

Means ‘no big deal’ – to downplay something done Short for ‘got you’ – to indicate understanding or agreement Someone who spends a lot of time sitting and watching TV Expressing disappointment and/or frustration To relax, take it easy A feeling of being irritable/angry due to being hungry Casual name for a friend or acquaintance, someone you know Expressing approval, admiration, excitement

Practice exercise 3: Texting slang

We all LOVE using social media and text abbreviations are now par for the course in modern communications. They effectively shape how we interact online and the variety of text acronyms such as, LOL (laugh out loud), BTW (by the way) or l8r (later), help us to streamline and simplify our conversations, making our exchanges much more casual and informal. Texting has also fostered a digital culture of quick, easy, rapidly paced language exchanges, although sadly the grammar is not always correct!

Texting slang is great fun! Here is a practice exercise to learn some new slang.

Put the correct acronym in the gaps to complete the text message below.

w8ing for u	to play footy
wot u doing today m8	c u l8r
ill pick u up b4	ASAP
LMK	d’u wanna

Hi, _____________________________? I’m meeting Carlos at 10 __________________ in the park, ___________________ join us? Call me __________________ to __________ and __________________ 10, ok, ____________________________ outside. _________________ , cheers

Using slang enriches your conversations and language skills, you speak more naturally and sound like a native speaker.

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Answer Key:

Exercise 1:

Expressions	UK English	USA English
Surprise	You’re having me on!	You’re kidding!
Asking someone to repeat	Say again?	Pardon?
Confusion	I’m lost.	I don’t get it.
Apologies	I beg your pardon.	I apologize.
Farewells	Ta-ta.	See you later.
Agreement	Spot on!	Exactly!
Frustration	I’m fed up!	Gimme a break!
Gratitude	Ta.	Thanks a lot.

Exercise 2:

Exercise 3:

Hi, wot u doing today m8? I’m meeting Carlos at 10 to play footy in the park, d’u wanna join us? Call me ASAP to LMK and ill pick u up b4 10, ok, w8ing for u outside. C u l8r, cheers