How should a teacher help a beginning reader remember an unfamiliar idiom after explaining it?

The most effective way for a teacher to help a beginning reader remember an unfamiliar idiom after explaining it is to use the idiom in a sentence. This method provides context, allowing the student to see how the idiom functions within everyday language. By incorporating the idiom into a sentence, the teacher helps the student grasp its meaning and usage, enhancing their understanding and retention. This contextualization makes the idiom more memorable and relatable, as it ties the expression to real-life situations they may encounter, thereby reinforcing their learning.

Writing it down or focusing solely on the literal meanings of each word may not aid in fully understanding the idiomatic expression itself. Simply ignoring the idiom does not provide the learner with an opportunity to expand their language skills and knowledge. Therefore, using the idiom in a sentence is the most effective approach.