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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.