Understanding learners’ beliefs of language Understanding learners’ beliefs of language learning, learners, and teachers through learning, learners, and teachers through their personal metaphors their personal metaphors

An Action Research Projectby

RABİA YILMAZGEDİZ UNIVERSITY

Why metaphors?Why metaphors?

Metaphors structure our part of thinking, which are perceptions, thoughts and actions.

(Saban, Koçbeker, 2007)

As the mental metaphor theory ( Lakoff and Johnson, 1980) indicates, metaphors shape individuals’ ideas about the world and reality, so metaphors enable individuals to compare the abstract or complex phenomena to the more concrete or experienced ones and develop an understanding for unknown phenomena.

(Yücel, Koçak, Cula, 2009)

… knowing what images the students have of their teachers is important, as these mental representations may contain information about the expectations that the learners have regarding their teachers and organization of the classroom activities. Learners’ metaphors are also informative because they may indicate the modes of behaviour the students are likely to adhere to in the classroom.

(Nikitina, Furuoka, 2008)

QUESTIONSQUESTIONSWhat are the students’ metaphors for language What are the students’ metaphors for language learning, learners and teachers?learning, learners and teachers?

How do metaphors help us understand how learners How do metaphors help us understand how learners perceive language learning, learners and teachers?perceive language learning, learners and teachers?

How much can we simplify or enhance language How much can we simplify or enhance language learning by identifying and interpreting their hidden learning by identifying and interpreting their hidden concepts?concepts?

Is it possible to change the cognition of students and Is it possible to change the cognition of students and teachers towards learning, learners and teachers?teachers towards learning, learners and teachers?

De Guerrero and Villamil De Guerrero and Villamil (2001)(2001)

Cooperative leader (a coach, a conductor)

Provider of knowledge (the Sun)Challenger or agent of change (a lion

tamer)Nurturer (a bee, a gardener)Innovator (an explorer, a convertible

car)Provider of tools (a tool carrier)Artist (a potter)Repairer (a mechanic of the mind)Gym instructor (a person startin an

aerobics class)

Oxford, Tomlinson, Barselos, Harrington, Oxford, Tomlinson, Barselos, Harrington, Lavine, Saleh, & Longhini, 1998Lavine, Saleh, & Longhini, 1998

Social Orderthe individual is reduced ‘to a malleable

medium which can be shaped into socially useful product’ (Oxford et al., 1998:8)

Cultural Transmissioninitiating the learner into ‘the correct cannon

of a certain culture’ (Oxford et al., 1998:9)Learner-Centered Growth

providing the learner with the correct environment in which inner mind could develop

Social Reformincludes elements from each other three views

taking the needs of the society and the learner, focusing on the interactive character of life

The students were asked to The students were asked to complete the following complete the following sentences using metaphors.sentences using metaphors.

English teachers are … because …

English learners are … because …

Learning English is … because …

About Data:About Data:

From three levels: 223 from A186 from A233 from B1

142 female + 200 male participants

342 in total

1026 – expected number of metaphors

314 of them are valid ( nearly 30 % )

The rest includes adjectives or no answers, thus partly excluded from the data analysis

The number and percentage of valid The number and percentage of valid answersanswers

For the first sentence:- 132 valid answers ( 38% )

For the second sentence:- 85 valid answers ( 25% )

For the third sentence:- 97 valid answers ( 28% )

Martinez, Sauleda, and Martinez, Sauleda, and Huber (2001)Huber (2001)

Behaviourist: The teacher’s function is to transmit or provide information, which makes learner a recipient of knowledge.

Cognitive: Learning is an individual construction of knowledge, and this perspective focuses more on the students’ notions of the elaboration and organization of knowledge, active role, understanding of concepts, intrinsic motivation and transfer.

Socio-cultural: Learning is a participation in the activities in the social community (class) in the search of knowledge.behaviourist cognitive socio-cultural

According to the results:According to the results:

For the first statementFor the first statement:- 70 % - Behaviorist- 5 % - Cognitive- 5 % - Socio-cultural • For the second statementFor the second statement:- 44 % - Behaviorist- 33 % - Cognitive- 3 % - Socio-cultural

valid answers were obtained.

Herron (1982)Herron (1982)

Mind-body metaphor- language learning is viewed as

mental gymnastics aimed to strengthen and discipline the learner’s mind

mind

Production metaphor- the aim of language teaching is

to produce a marketable and skillful workforce

production

For the third statement…For the third statement…

17 % - Mind-body

8 % - Production metaphors were

obtained

Extra data:Extra data:The metaphors used to define

learning regarding the process in which students learn is …

Excluded answers with adjectives mostly describe learning as a torture, impossible, painful, BUT necessary even if they think it must not be so.

Thanks for your cooperation and

contribution