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Developing young L2 learners’ metaphorical competence: An online resource for teachers

The aim of this project is to design of an online database containing English figurative expressions for young learners, which can be used by teachers to supplement regular materials. The selection of linguistic items is based on the topics in EFL textbooks for primary schools. The following criteria for the selection of figurative expressions have been established: literal and figurative meanings are closely related, they contain familiar words and have simple structure.

Figurative expressions grouped together in the database are linked conceptually. Given that children’s understanding of figurative language depends on the input provided by teachers, an online resource with figurative expressions organized by meaning and/or concept can be a useful tool for developing learners’ metaphorical competence in L2 at beginner levels.