Idioms: gender equality

This ESL worksheet is dedicated to 12 idioms that are used when talking about gender equality. It includes plenty of communicative activities so that students can learn and practise them.

The first activity introduces 6 idioms (e.g. level the playing field, break the glass ceiling, pave the way, share the load) through a short text about gender equality. Students work out the meaning of the idioms and match them to their definitions. To practise the these idioms, students are given 4 questions to complete with the correct word and use as conversation starters.

Next, students are given a short dialogue about equality and diversity at work, including the rest of the idioms (e.g. tip the scales, break down barriers, open doors, be in the same boat). After that students complete 2 practice tasks: the first one is a multiple-choice exercise, and in the second one they need to replace part of 3 sentences given with the correct idiom.

The last activity is focused on speaking: students match the 2 halves of 4 questions and ask and answer the questions in pairs or small groups.

This ESL worksheet, together with the conversation cards can be used in various classes in order to practise these idioms about gender equality. It would work great as an addition to lessons about gender equality, feminism, gender roles, women in leadership positions, and International Women’s Day.