Figurative Thinking and Foreign Language Learning - Practical

In this review of Figurative Thinking and Foreign Language Learning the authors explore how learners encounter and must navigate figurative extensions in vocabulary. The bottom line: this book is for language teachers, curriculum developers and advanced learners who want a focused, research-informed look at how figurative thinking supports comprehension and learning. It is not a textbook of exercises but a conceptual guide that links cognitive processes to practical implications for teaching, and it makes a persuasive case for integrating figurative awareness into instruction.

Key Features

• Focused analysis: Examines the role of figurative thinking in understanding extended word meanings, helping readers see why literal translation often fails.
• Teaching implications: Lays out implications for language teaching and learning so instructors can adapt lessons to address figurative language.
• Language ability link: Considers how figurative competence contributes to broader language ability, providing a framework for assessment and curriculum planning.
• Accessible scholarship: Presents research in a way that is usable by practitioners, making cognitive concepts relevant to classroom choices.
• Conceptual breadth: Surveys a range of figurative extensions rather than focusing on a single phenomenon, which supports varied classroom examples.

Who It's For

The book is best suited to language teachers, applied linguists and graduate students who want a deeper understanding of how figurative language affects vocabulary learning and classroom practice. It helps instructors design activities that move beyond rote memorization to teach meaning extensions.

Less appropriate for complete beginners or teachers seeking a workbook of ready-made exercises; this is a theory-to-practice bridge rather than a step-by-step lesson plan. Schools looking for graded activity packs should look elsewhere.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a clear theoretical account that helps explain why students struggle with non-literal meanings.
• Offers practical implications useful for curriculum design and lesson planning.
• Connects figurative competence to overall language ability, which aids assessment thinking.

Cons

• Does not function as a practice workbook, so teachers will need to develop exercises from the concepts.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Figurative Thinking and Foreign Language Learning is a strong value for educators who want to understand why figurative extensions matter and how that understanding can shape instruction. It is best for those who will translate the book's concepts into classroom activities rather than expecting ready-made exercises, and it rewards readers seeking a research-informed perspective on vocabulary and teaching.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include classroom activities?
No. It focuses on theory and implications, so teachers will need to create exercises based on the concepts.

Who benefits most from reading it?
Language teachers, applied linguists and advanced students interested in the cognitive side of figurative language and teaching.

Is it suitable for beginners?
Not as a primary resource; beginners may find it more useful when paired with practical materials.