I use this lesson for my second year high school students, though it can be adapted to different levels. I would say they have about a low-intermediate English level, but they were able to do the activity at the end of this lesson fairly easily. There is some Japanese included in the PowerPoint to help with understanding.
At the start of class, I ask students to make pairs and move their desks so they're facing their partner, with their desks touching. Make sure they can still see the board/PowerPoint after moving.
At the start of the PowerPoint, I have two Japanese idioms. The students work with their partner to translate the idiom into English and explain the meaning. I usually choose one pair to give me a translation and another pair to explain the meaning. For low level classes, I allowed them to give the meaning in Japanese and then the JTE says it in English. Once we have the translation and the meaning, I give them an English idiom with the same meaning. For more advanced classes, I have them give a literal translation of the English version in Japanese. For all classes, I have them practice saying the English version once or twice.
For the second half of the PowerPoint, there are several English idioms. The students must translate them into Japanese and then try to guess the meaning. It's very fun hearing how they interpret some of the sayings. I tried to pick ones that are a bit silly/fun without too obvious of meanings. They are always flabbergasted when they learn what "kick the bucket" means. I do the same process as above, one pair gives the translation and another guesses the meaning. I usually reveal the answer after three or four guesses.
Once you finish this, the remaining time goes to a card matching game!
Each pair receives one set of cards.
There are 16 cards, 8 idioms and 8 meanings. These idioms are different from those shown in the PowerPoint. I allowed students to use dictionaries but not their Chromebooks. The students should spread the cards out evenly between their desks. The cards with bold and underlined font are the idioms, the ones without are the meanings. The students must match all of the idioms to their correct meaning. This activity typically takes up the rest of the class and my students got super into it. Prepare to be frantically called around the room to check their answers.
This is an entertaining lesson and it's good to use for a fun, de-stress class.
Let me know how it goes for you!