Figurative Thinking and Foreign Language Learning

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvii

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2. Figurative Thinking

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. What is ‘Figurative Thinking’?

      • Jeannette Littlemore, Graham Low

      Pages 3-22

   3. Why is Figurative Thinking Important for Foreign Language Learners?

      • Jeannette Littlemore, Graham Low

      Pages 23-44

   4. Psychological Processes Underlying Figurative Thinking

      • Jeannette Littlemore, Graham Low

      Pages 45-67

   5. Developing Learner Autonomy in Figurative Thinking

      • Jeannette Littlemore, Graham Low

      Pages 68-85

3. Figurative Thinking and Communicative Language Ability

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 87-87

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   2. Figurative Thinking and Sociolinguistic Competence

      • Jeannette Littlemore, Graham Low

      Pages 89-111

   3. Figurative Thinking and Illocutionary Competence

      • Jeannette Littlemore, Graham Low

      Pages 112-132

   4. Figurative Thinking and Textual Competence

      • Jeannette Littlemore, Graham Low

      Pages 133-155

   5. Figurative Thinking and Lexico-Grammatical Competence

      • Jeannette Littlemore, Graham Low

      Pages 156-176

   6. Strategic Competence

      • Jeannette Littlemore, Graham Low

      Pages 177-193

4. Conclusions

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 195-195

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   2. Promoting Figurative Language Competence in the Foreign Language Classroom

      • Jeannette Littlemore, Graham Low

      Pages 197-211

5. Back Matter

   Pages 212-239

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Many vocabulary items that foreign language learners encounter involve figurative extensions of meaning. To understand figurative speech, learners often need to employ figurative thinking. This book examines figurative thinking, considers its contribution to language ability, and explores the implications for language teaching and learning.

• language
• language classroom
• Language Learning
• language teaching
• translation studies

'This ground-breaking book presents a lucid and persuasive argument for the centrality of figurative thinking in language learning and communicative competence. Contributing to both theory and practice, Jeannette Littlemore and Graham Low help shift language teaching and learning away from a dull emphasis on the transactional. The book is a major addition to a current paradigm shift in language teaching and applied linguistic theory, helping to bring the creative and playful centre stage, and making the task of language learning more fulfilling and rewarding in the process.' - Professor Guy Cook, The Open University, UK

• University of Birmingham, UK

  Jeannette Littlemore

• University of York, UK

  Graham Low

JEANNETTE LITTLEMORE is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English at the University of Birmingham, UK. She has published widely on the teaching and learning of figurative language.

GRAHAM D. LOW is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Educational Studies at the University of York, UK. He is particularly interested in how figurative language is used in written discourse.

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