My Teacher is a

Watering Can:
Metaphors and
Autonomous
Learning

Darren Elliott
Sugiyama Jogakuen
University
Nagoya, Japan

48th annual
meeting of the
British Association
for Applied
Linguistics Aston
University,
September 4th,
2015

1.

2.

3.
4.

Metaphors
in language
education
Measuring
learner
autonomy
Methodolog
y
Discussion

Metaphor and
Method
grammar
translation is
gymnastics
(Herron, 1982)

communicative
language learning is
computational?
(Nattinger, 1984)

case studies
learning as
growth
(Mahlios et al,
2010)

a
systematic
typology
(Oxford et al,
1998)

conceptualizations
of teaching and
learning
(de Guerrero &
Villamil, 2002)

Could an
analysis
students'
metaphors for
learning provide
an insight into
their propensity
for learner
autonomy?

Can learner
autonomy be
measured?

Are there any

differences in the
level of selfperceived learner
autonomy
depending on the
students proficiency
level?
(Shimo, 2008)

Technical,
psychological,
politicalphilosophical &
socio-cultural
dimensions of
learner autonomy
(Murase, 2015)

twenty six point survey

five point likert scale
statements cover four
domains

sentence
completion
A teacher is
because
student /
classroom/
learning

semi-structured interview
questions about learning habits
students selected pictures which best fit
their metaphors

Mary
100
75
50
25
0

technical

affective

hierarchical

social

I didnt like study, so when I study in English a

little boring
I dislike grammar, or just taking a note
Student have to do homework. If teacher say
you should do something, then you have to do
that
The teacher has to find a real passion to
students and help students

I like YouTubers. They talk in English

so I often see that movie.
I really like talking. I can find good
ideas about discussion.

the teacher is a satnav

My mother didnt have a (satellite
navigation system) so she couldnt go to
a place she didnt know. Then she got it.
Now she is going everywhere.

the classroom is a beehive

There are a lot of students in class.
Students have to sit same table, chair. A
little bit strange. I want to move to my
own desk.

Sarah
100
75
50
25
0

technical

affective

hierarchical

social

I speak to my sister in English at home,

and I study at a conversation school
twice a week.
I really like chatting its really fun with
other students. But if those other
students dont speak English I dont like
that.

language learning
Its not a mountain. We dont have any
end. The sea doesnt have any end, its
really big. And English also.
I like swimming.

Melanie
100
75
50
25
0

technical

affective

hierarchical

social

To find my opinion, and say my opinion

strongly is my main purpose.
I have to decide which skills I should use,
depends on time.
Teachers stimulate us. They help us get a
wider prospect.

the teacher
Sometimes I think they are a kind of
god. They are very I respect them so
sometimes I believe all their opinions. I
understand all their opinions dont suit
me. I too much believe them
sometimes.

the class is a family

We have a chat group, and we always ask
questions. They never ignore me so its very
warm. If I have a mistake, they dont laugh.
They accept me.

learning is unravelling a ball of string

Sometimes I get some problems, but I
try to solve them. I can solve them very
slowly. In this ball, I have one jewellery. I
overcame many problems. I know in this
ball there is one thing which is very
good, so I can find it.

learning is like camping

Sometimes I couldnt stand, because I
studied really hard but I couldnt get enough
result, so sometimes I have to stand. But
sometimes the weather changes and its
sunny.
I have never hated learning language.
(Campers) dont like bad weather, but they
still love camping.

learning is not
Its not a battle. It doesnt hurt me.

Why should learners consider metaphors?

to understand themselves and their
teachers.
to reflect on their practice and their
principles.
to express their feelings and ways of
thinking to others.

www.livesofteachers.com
http://goo.gl/FS4NQh