Metaphor (Stein)
Activity 1
Check your learners' prior knowledge by asking them to discuss the meaning of the term metaphor and to give examples. This can be done individually, and then check in small groups and/or whole class.
Use the next slide to confirm the learners' answers. Next, ask if the learners can think of any other animal metaphors such as sly fox. Ask learners to share their ideas with each other and the whole class.
Activity 2
Ask learners to copy down the list of common animals, and to make notes on their common characteristics. Next learners try to come up with a metaphor for each animal.
Make sure the learners have the whole list of animals copied down before the next slide. In the following acitivity, learners need to match the animal to the correct metaphor.
Activity 3
Next, introduce the learners to the idea of body part metaphors. Show them the example, and ask if they can think of any others.
In the next activity, they will fill the gaps in seven sentences with the appropriate body part to complete the metaphor. Ask learners to attempt individually, before sharing with pairs/small groups and checking as a whole class.
Activity 4
In the final activity, learners will see how many metaphors they can come up with independently. Ask learners to create a mind-map with vocabulary related to plants and trees. Then, ask them to see how many metaphors they can make using these words. Finally, share answers as a whole class.
This lesson is adapted (with permission) from Words and Meanings: A Systematic Guide for the Teaching of English Vocabulary, by Gabriele Stein.
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Metaphor (Stein)
Activity 1
What does the term metaphor mean?
Can you think of an example?
A metaphor is when a word or phrase is used to suggest a resemblance to a another thing or action.
A metaphor uses language in a figurative sense.
When we call someone a sly fox we are implying that their behaviour is similar to a fox i.e. sneaky or crafty.
What other animal metaphors can you think of?
Activity 2
Copy down this list of common animals: bird, duck, fish, hog, horse, owl, pig
- What are their well-known characteristics?
- Can you think of any metaphors or sayings about each one?
Look at the following eight metaphors.
Guess the missing animal from the list you copied down to complete each phrase!
1. A cold fish
a person who seems to be unfeeling
2. A dark horse
a person who surprises everyone due to their unexpected abilities
3. A guinea pig
a volunteer for medical experiments
4. A lame duck
someone who has lost their power and authority
5. A night owl
a person who enjoys staying up at night
6. An odd fish
an eccentric person
7. A rare bird
an exceptional person
8. A road hog
an inconsiderate driver who monopolises the road
Activity 3
Another set of examples used in metaphors are body parts.
Can you think of any examples?
For example: Their car broke down, so they pulled over on the hard shoulder.
Here's another list of seven sentences that all use body part metaphors. This time you haven't been given the metaphor words in advance.
See how many you can complete before checking the answers on the following slide.
- They decided to park the car at the ______ of the hill and walk up.
- One of the table ______ is broken.
- Mark tried the t-shirt on but the ______ was too wide.
- Why aren't you talking? Have you lost your ______?
- Jenny's favourite tea is chips, baked beans and fish ______.
- He kept his eye on the stopwatch and follwed the second ______ keenly.
- The ______ of the cave was overgrown with gorse and brambles.
- They decided to park the car at the foot of the hill and walk up.
- One of the table legs is broken.
- Mark tried the t-shirt on but the neck was too wide.
- Why aren't you talking? Have you lost your tongue?
- Jenny's favourite tea is chips, baked beans and fish fingers.
- He kept his eye on the stopwatch and follwed the second hand keenly.
- The mouth of the cave was overgrown with gorse and brambles.
With a partner, discuss how the body part word is used metaphorically in each sentence.
Activity 4
Another well-known set of words used in metaphors is plants and trees.
Make a mindmap of as many words related to plants and tress as you can think of. Then, choose at least four words and write a sentence using a well-known metaphor.
Compare your answers with a partner - do you understand the meaning of all the metaphors?