Body Metaphors
- 4 days ago
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Updated: 1 day ago
ESL Lesson Plan Body Metaphors B2 explores one of the most colourful idioms of the English language. Students discover how everyday body parts like the stomach, heart, skin, and chin are used to express emotions, personality, and situations in natural English. Through an engaging story about a character called Maya, learners encounter 12 body metaphors in context before moving on to matching, gap-fill, and speaking activities that build real confidence with idiomatic language.
📄B2 ⏱️120 min 📁15 slides
Skills and Outcomes
Learn and use 12 body metaphors naturally in context.
Understand how metaphors create stronger images and feelings in English.
Develop reading skills by identifying idiomatic expressions within a narrative.
Practise speaking and writing using body metaphors in realistic situations.
Vocabulary
have a heart of gold
be all ears
bite your tongue
have butterflies in your stomach
shoulder the blame
stick your neck out
have a thick skin
get something off your chest
have a gut feeling
keep your chin up
get cold feet
have eyes in the back of your head
Lesson Plan
Lead-in
Students look at four illustrated body metaphors and discuss whether they've heard them before, guess their meanings, and compare them to expressions in their native language.
What Is a Metaphor?
Learners are introduced to the concept of metaphor through two clear examples — life is a journey and heart of gold — before discovering how body metaphors work specifically.
Reading: A Week to Remember
Students read a narrative about Maya's difficult week at work, spotting all 12 body metaphors as they appear naturally in context.
Vocabulary Match
Learners match each of the 12 body metaphors to its correct definition, consolidating understanding from the reading.
Name the Metaphor
Students look at 12 labelled body parts on a diagram and write the full metaphor for each one — a great recall and production activity.
True or False
Six sentences test whether students have understood the meanings correctly, with some deliberately misleading options to encourage careful thinking.
Gap-Fill Practice
Students complete eight sentences by choosing the correct body metaphor — focusing on accurate use in natural contexts.
Speaking Discussion
Six personal questions encourage students to connect the metaphors to their own lives and experiences, including sharing stories and giving advice.
Role-Play
Working in pairs, students choose one of three realistic situations and hold a short conversation, aiming to use at least three body metaphors naturally.
Writing Task
Students continue a story opening about a character called Sam facing a big life decision, using at least four body metaphors from the lesson.