Indeed

no materials
oral
30 min.

Objectives

  • The learner can differentiate between literal and figurative language.
  • The learner can understand proverbs.

Preparation

  • Choose proverbs in the target language.
  • Find similar proverbs in the mother tongue of the learners.

Instructions

  • Sit in a circle.
  • Explain the difference between literal and figurative meaning, using proverbs to illustrate the difference.*
  • Share a proverb in the target language with the learners.
  • Let the learners guess the meaning of a proverb. If necessary, give hints.
  • Explain the proverb after the guessing round.
  • Ask the learners if there is an equivalent in their mother tongue for the Do they use the same metaphor?
  • Alternate a proverb from the target language with a proverb from a native language given by a learner.
  • Let the learner translate and explain.

Closing up

Let the learners share proverbs with each other.

Tips for the instructor

  • This exercise is suitable for learners who have some knowledge of the target language.
  • * You can give the explanation about literal and figurative meaning before or after the exercise.