Teaching English metaphors using cross-linguistic awareness-raising activities

Now that metaphor is recognized as being pervasive in language, it is argued that more attention should be given to the teaching of strategies for comprehending and generating metaphors in L2. In this article we report on a translation exercise undertaken by advanced Polish learners of English which revealed ways in which metaphorical expressions vary between the two languages, and the problems this raises for learners. It is suggested that awareness-raising through discussion and comparison of metaphors in L1 and L2 is a useful approach to help learners to understand and appropriately produce metaphores. This is followed by some sample teaching materials which have been designed to encourage learners to investigate and compare metaphors in L1 and L2.