My Teacher is a Watering Can: Metaphors and Autonomous LearningDarren ElliottSugiyama Jogakuen UniversityNagoya, Japan48th annual meeting of the British Association for Applied Linguistics Aston University, September 4th, 2015

Metaphors in language educationMeasuring learner autonomyMethodologyDiscussion

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 self-perceived learner autonomy depending on the students proficiency level?

(Shimo, 2008)

Technical, psychological, political-philosophical & socio-cultural dimensions of learner autonomy

(Murase, 2015)

twenty six point surveyfive point likert scale statements cover four domains

sentence completion

A teacher isbecause

student / classroom/ learning

semi-structured interviewquestions about learning habitsstudents selected pictures which best fit their metaphorsMaryI 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 studentsI 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.

SarahI 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.MelanieTo 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.http://goo.gl/FS4NQhwww.livesofteachers.com