The Importance of Teaching Figures of Speech to ESL Learners

https://www.wordsworthelt.com/blog/the-importance-of-teaching-figures-of-speech-to-esl-learners/
• english as a second language, English Language Learning, esl learners, Importance of Teaching
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The lexicon of English is huge. To claim to understand and use the English language effectively, one needs to know both the denotative and connotative meanings of the words. With their increased understanding of the figurative language, the user of the language will experience an enhancement in their proficiency.

Though common in use in the native language, the teaching of figures of speech plays an important role to the ESL (English as a Second Language) learner. Learning figures of speech, like similes, metaphors or personification in English, helps the learners to improve their understanding of the figurative aspect of the language while also exposing them to the use and understanding of clichés and slangs. It is also believed that they help sow the seeds of imagination and stimulate the learners’ creativity in the language.

Figures of speech are widely used, across all forms of language expression. Be it in written or spoken form, in formal or informal structures or in standard speech or in slang, the use of the various figures of speech is pervasive. The importance of learning and using them is thus very obvious for an individual to be able to fit in the world where English is the language of communication.

The lack of understanding and using figures of speech leaves the user of the English language at sea, as to the real meaning of what is being said or written. The unseasoned learner may confuse the figurative meaning with its literal connotation. This may lead to a sense of frustration and lack of self confidence in the learner towards the English language.

Learners who begin to effectively use figures of speech show a better understanding of the language. They display an enhanced understanding of the subtlety of English. These meanings conveyed by figures of speech are culturally specific in nature; where two or more words are used together in order to produce a particular effect.

Learners learn the use of these expressions and their specific meanings using contextual clues. There is a huge repertoire of figures of speech. When integrated into the teaching curriculum, they are easily assimilated, albeit through conscious discussion in the ESL class. The lessons on figures of speech can be imparted through an activity based learning programme. To make it interactive and to ensure the optimal participation of the learners, it is helpful to use the services of an English language lab. A good English language lab ideally will have content integrated into the software, providing ample teaching material on this topic both for the teacher and the learners.

Words Worth English Language Lab has content catering to this aspect of English language learning. This English language lab has been successful in extending the learning of a number of types of figures of speech to trigger the nuances and understanding of the English language in the learners.