A Study On English Vocabulary Teaching In College Based On Conceptual Metaphor Theory

In the early 1980 s,Lakoff and Johnson put forward the concept of conceptual metaphor in Metaphors We Live By,which is widely used in our daily life,not only in the language,but also in thinking and action.Vocabulary,as an element in linguistic and semiotic system,plays an essential role in language learning.English vocabulary acquisition lays the foundation for English learning.However,we find that most of the students are lack of effective learning methods and strategies,and traditional ways to teach vocabulary are still commonly used in college without considering cognitive factors.Students in college have already formed the ability of cognition.Conceptual metaphor theory applied in English vocabulary teaching which can provide a new angle for vocabulary teaching.The researcher selected two classes of sophomore in college as subjects for about three months,one as control class and the other as experimental class.Traditional vocabulary teaching methods were adopted in the control class,such as using paraphrasing or memorizing.For experimental class,the researcher introduced the conceptual metaphor theory at first and then students could use conceptual metaphor in memorizing vocabulary.Questionnaires,pre-test,post-tests and interview were adopted as data collection instruments.The research is mainly on whether the conceptual metaphor theory can improve the depth and size of vocabulary learning,delayed memory vocabulary learning and students' interests.Meanwhile,conceptual metaphor theory helps students enhance their vocabulary learning interest and confidence,and improve ability of learning.