Avoid idioms, colloquialisms, and cultural references as these can confuse learners, especially those for whom English is not a first language. Instead, use clear, literal language.
Instead of:
“Think outside the box.”
“In a nutshell…”
“A moonshot project…”
Use:
“Be creative. Try a new approach.”
“In summary…”
“An ambitious and risky project…”
If an idiom or cultural reference is particularly useful for illustrating a concept, provide a brief explanation so that all learners can understand it.
Example:
“You might feel like Sisyphus, endlessly pushing a boulder uphill. (In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was condemned to roll a boulder up a hill forever, only for it to roll back down each time.)”
Example:
“The manager encouraged the team to take the low-hanging fruit first—those tasks that were easiest to complete and could deliver quick wins before tackling more complex challenges.”