Roleplay and speaking exercises

Quick Warm-Ups (3–5 minutes)

• Beat & breath drill: Clap a 4-beat while saying 稳扎稳打 (wěn zhā wěn dǎ) → 循序渐进 (xún xù jiàn jìn). Keep breath steady; place one idiom per exhale.
• Tone ladder: Read 名副其实 (míng fù qí shí) and 一清二楚 (yì qīng èr chǔ) twice, then use each in one English sentence: “The data is 一清二楚 (yì qīng èr chǔ).”

Substitution Chains (structure stays, chengyu swaps)

Say the frame out loud 6 times, swapping the chengyu each time.

• Frame: “We’ll proceed [chengyu] this week.”
  Swap set: 稳扎稳打 / 循序渐进 / 统筹兼顾 / 未雨绸缪 (wěn zhā wěn dǎ / xún xù jiàn jìn / tǒng chóu jiān gù / wèi yǔ chóu móu).
• Frame: “The report is [chengyu].”
  Swap set: 一清二楚 / 名副其实 / 有条不紊 (yì qīng èr chǔ / míng fù qí shí / yǒu tiáo bù wěn).

Micro-Dialogue Templates (plug-and-play)

• Praise a result
  A: “How was the delivery?”
  B: “Quality was 名副其实 (míng fù qí shí), and feedback matched the metrics.”
• Soft critique with a fix
  A: “Thoughts on the redesign?”
  B: “A bit 画蛇添足 (huà shé tiān zú); let’s cut animations and keep it simple.”
• Scope & plan
  A: “Launch everything at once?”
  B: “Better 循序渐进 (xún xù jiàn jìn)—pilot, then expand.”
• Risk awareness
  A: “Do we really need backups?”
  B: “Yes—未雨绸缪 (wèi yǔ chóu móu) saves us later.”
• Teamwork
  A: “Ops might need help tonight.”
  B: “We’ll be 同舟共济 (tóng zhōu gòng jì) and clear the queue.”

Scenario Packs (speak for 45–60 seconds)

• Stand-up update: Include one progress idiom and one risk idiom.
  Target pair: 稳扎稳打 (wěn zhā wěn dǎ) + 居安思危 (jū ān sī wēi).
• Customer call: Praise + boundary.
  Target pair: 名副其实 (míng fù qí shí) + 因地制宜 (yīn dì zhì yí).
• Campus project: Motivation + method.
  Target pair: 再接再厉 (zài jiē zài lì) + 循序渐进 (xún xù jiàn jìn).
• Travel plan: Calm problem-solving.
  Target pair: 泰然自若 (tài rán zì ruò) + 化繁为简 (huà fán wéi jiǎn).

Role Labels & Goals (quick prompts)

• You = PM; partner = designer: Negotiate a lean MVP using 去繁就简 (qù fán jiù jiǎn) and 一锤定音 (yī chuí dìng yīn).
• You = student; partner = mentor: Ask for feedback; accept critique with 虚心受教 (xū xīn shòu jiào) and commit to 精益求精 (jīng yì qiú jīng).

30-Second “Explain & Use” Challenge

1. Say the English meaning in one line.
2. Say one sentence that uses the idiom naturally.
   Targets: 纸上谈兵 (zhǐ shàng tán bīng), 水到渠成 (shuǐ dào qú chéng), 权衡利弊 (quán héng lì bì).

Repair Phrases (keep conversations smooth)

• “Let me rephrase: I mean 无可厚非 (wú kě hòu fēi)—acceptable, not perfect.”
• “Small correction: 差强人意 (chà qiáng rén yì) = barely acceptable.”
• “Tone check: I’m describing the plan as 有条不紊 (yǒu tiáo bù wěn), not calling anyone out.”

Solo Shadowing (copy native rhythm)

Read a short paragraph aloud and insert two idioms:

• Model: “We reviewed risks early (未雨绸缪), then released in phases (循序渐进). The dashboard is now 一清二楚.” Repeat 3×, reducing pauses each time.

Partner Games (fun + speed)

• Cue & respond: Partner says a cue (“overdesign risk”); you respond with 画蛇添足 (huà shé tiān zú) + one fix line. Swap roles every minute.
• Opposites race: One says 因地制宜; the other replies with the contrast 刻舟求剑 (kè zhōu qiú jiàn) and a one-line example.

Pronunciation & Rhythm Tips

• Keep idioms as one prosodic unit; avoid inserting English between characters.
• If tones trip you up, whisper pinyin first, then speak the full sentence at natural speed.

Assessment Rubric (quick self-check)

• Meaning accuracy (0–2): Did you convey the correct sense?
• Placement (0–2): Predicate/adverbial/initial used naturally?
• Fluency (0–2): Smooth, one-breath delivery of the idiom?
• Tone/register (0–2): Praise/critique levels appropriate?
• Recovery (0–2): Able to self-repair with a gloss?

Common Pitfalls (and fixes)

• Stacking too many idioms: one per sentence or per idea.
• Using rare items in casual chat: swap to high-frequency picks (一清二楚 / 有条不紊 / 循序渐进).
• Unclear stance: add a short English gloss after risky items (无可厚非 = acceptable).

Homework (10 minutes)

Record a 60-second update using 3 idioms: planning (未雨绸缪), execution (稳扎稳打), and result (水到渠成). Transcribe, underline the idioms, and rewrite one sentence to improve placement.