Abstract

Foreign language learners encounter difficulties utilizing metaphorical expressions in everyday language, par- ticularly because the use of metaphors in the discourse context is inescapable. In this study, efforts have been made to provide an effective way for the Iranian language learners to acquire and employ conceptual and image metaphors. The instruction took place on 60 junior students studying at the University of Petroleum Engineering at Ahvaz, a southern city in Iran, who were selected on the basis of their high marks on an English proficiency test. Forty metaphors of both types were presented to the participants during 10 sessions of instruction. To collect data on the learners' performance, a 30- item sentence completion test requiring 'word-given' and 'recognition' type responses was prepared and administered. The results of a statistical t-test indicated no significant difference in the rate of acquiring conceptual and image meta- phors (P>.05). Therefore, both metaphors can be successfully taught concurrently with little difficulty.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call