Second Language Learning: Discovering an Unknown Path into a Brand New World

Twenty-six learners of English enrolled in an MA course were asked to give the metaphors which they think best capture the essence of their learning experience so far. Their metaphors tell how English learning had introduced them to a brand new world and, once they were inside it, led them to a seemingly endless series of new discoveries. The unpredictability of these discoveries had been like ‘reading a magic story’. Students had often faced challenges but had also derived satisfaction from overcoming them. The metaphors connect more strongly with ‘intrinsic’ motivation than with the more utilitarian concepts of ‘extrinsic’ and ‘instrumental’ motivation. This might reflect the composition of the learner group, who had all chosen to specialize in some form of English study in their previous education. However that may be, they encourage us to create space in our teaching for the humanistic dimensions of imagination and creativity, even in courses where the explicit aim is to serve a specific pragmatic purpose.