Resumen de Metaphorical conceptualizations of ESL teaching and learning
María C. M. De Guerrero, Olga S. Villamil
The use of metaphor is widespread among language teachers and in language learning theory. Metaphors also play a significant role as vehicles for reflection and awareness raising among educators. This study, framed within a socio-cultural theory approach, explored the basic conceptualizations of ESL teaching and learning reflected in metaphorical representations of an ESL teacher. Nine distinct conceptual metaphors for an ESL teacher (co-operative leader, provider of knowledge, challenger/agent of change, nurturer, innovator, provider of tools, artist, repairer, gym instructor) with entailed views of the ESL learner and the teaching/learning processes emerged. Appropriation of various theoretical models of language learning was observed in the participants' metaphors.
