Figurative language adds depth and nuance to our communication, allowing us to convey complex ideas and emotions with just a few words. Metaphors, similes, personification, and other figures of speech enrich our language and bring it to life.
But learning about figurative language can be a challenge, especially for students who may find it dry and unengaging. That’s where Figurative Language Games come in! By turning learning into a fun and interactive experience, these games help students understand and appreciate the power of figurative language.
So if you’re looking to bring some excitement to your language learning journey, give the below-mentioned figurative language Games a try!”
Interesting figurative language games to play online
Just like other games based on the English language like idiom games, adverb games, and much more, similarly, figurative language games can be really effective in helping children to introduce them to their vocabulary. So here’s a listicle of the most suitable and intriguing figurative language games, that can be fun to play while ensuring the purpose of education.
1. Cannonball Cats
Cannonball cats is a figurative language game. Interactive and engaging for all age groups, the game equips the player with a cannon that fires a cat. Fun fact about the cat fired is that the player is supposed to aim at the right answer, which amongst the figurative language options presented on the screen. Once the phrase flashes on the screen, the player is supposed to aim at the right answer. Not only the answer has to be correct but also the aim of the player, as the cat needs to pass through the fire ring.
2. Figurative Language
TinyTap’s “Figurative Language” game is an educational game designed to help players learn about and identify different types of figurative language. The game presents players with a sentence and asks them to identify what is the literal meaning of the sentence. In the beginning, the game presents the right answer under the posed question and then hides it with 3 other options. The game is intended for students to improve their reading comprehension and language skills, and the questions are based on the Common Core State Standards.
3. Matching
Quia’s “Figurative Language Matching Game” is an interactive educational tool that aims to enhance players’ understanding of various types of figurative language. The game presents players with a series of words and phrases and challenges them to match them to the corresponding form of figurative language, such as simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, and onomatopoeia. This game is intended to improve reading comprehension and language skills and can be used as a classroom activity or self-study tool. The game is designed to be engaging and provides instant feedback on players’ answers, making the learning experience entertaining and interactive.
4. Figurative Language Game Show
Players get ready to step into the spotlight and showcase their figurative language skills in this thrilling game show! The game will present you with various phrases and sentences, each one hiding a form of figurative language, such as simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, or onomatopoeia. Be quick and think fast to identify the type of figurative language used in each sentence, just like a true wordsmith. As the game progresses, the questions will get harder and the pressure will mount, but multiple-choice options are a lifeline. With every correct answer, players earn points and move closer to the top of the leaderboard. With interactive and entertaining features, this figurative language game show will put language skills to the test and make learning fun.
5. Figurative Language
The figurative language game is the best game to stretch your imagination and explore the world of figurative language. The steps are simple, choose a card from the deck, each one featuring a different type of figurative language such as simile, metaphor, or personification. Use the example on the card to create your own sentence using the same type of figurative language. Invite friends and take turns with your friends or classmates to share your sentences and see who can come up with the most creative and descriptive one. The game is an excellent way to expand your vocabulary and writing skills as you discover the power of figurative language to bring your words to life.
6. Figurative Language Moles in Holes
Whack some figurative language moles as they pop up on the screen and test your knowledge of similes, metaphors, personification, and idioms by identifying them as they appear. For each correct answer players get the point, but they must identify the type of figurative language as quickly as possible to score points. However, they need to watch out for the tricky trickster moles that will try to fool them. The game is suitable for all ages and offers a creative way to learn and improve language skills.
7. Figurative Language Jumping Tiles
Figurative language jumping tiles match the figurative language tiles as they appear on the screen. Test your knowledge of similes, metaphors, personification, and idioms by pairing them with their correct meanings. The players are supposed to score points for each correct match, but they have to be quick, as the game is timed. Players must match the figurative language with its correct meaning as quickly as possible to score points. Have fun while improving your language skills with this interactive and creative game.
Comprehension of figurative language for students/individuals with learning difficulties
Figurative language is a literary device that tells more about a phrase or sentence than its literal meaning. For children of younger age, complex figurative forms of speech can be challenging, and the same goes for children diagnosed with learning disabilities. While for some the link between learning disabilities like dyslexia and figurative language difficulties is understandable, however, some studies have suggested that there exists a link between all types of learning disorders and figurative language. The most plausible answer to this is the problem in the executive functioning of special needs children[1]. The various components that are responsible for the interpretation of the abstract nature of figurative language are also responsible for efficient executive functioning. The study by Saied Bishara and Shani Kaplan corroborated that children diagnosed with learning disorders experience difficulty in interpreting figurative language as compared to neurotypical kids.
As there is difficulty in uncovering the meanings of figurative language, oftentimes there have been difficulties in understanding non-verbal gestures as well as humor. A study[2] by Lindsey Bauxbaum et al, that neurotypical adolescents performed better in identifying humor and figurative language in comparison to children with language disorders.
Conclusion
In conclusion, figurative language is an important aspect of writing and literature and it can be a fun and engaging way to learn and practice language skills through online games. These interactive games and activities can help students, teachers, and anyone else to improve their understanding and use of figurative language concepts such as metaphor, simile, personification, and idioms. These games are widely available online and can be found on various websites and apps, they come in different forms and levels of difficulty, making them suitable for all ages and skill levels. Overall, figurative language online games are an effective and entertaining way to improve your language skills and enhance your understanding of literature and writing.
References
- Bishara, S., & Kaplan, S. (2016). Executive Functioning and Figurative Language Comprehension in Learning Disabilities. World Journal of Education, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v6n2p20
- Buxbaum, L. (n.d.). What Do You Meme? Meme Humor Comprehension in Adolescents with Language Disorder or Hearing Loss. THE JOURNAL OF SPECIAL EDUCATION APPRENTICESHIP.
I am Shweta Sharma. I am a final year Masters student of Clinical Psychology and have been working closely in the field of psycho-education and child development. I have served in various organisations and NGOs with the purpose of helping children with disabilities learn and adapt better to both, academic and social challenges. I am keen on writing about learning difficulties, the science behind them and potential strategies to deal with them. My areas of expertise include putting forward the cognitive and behavioural aspects of disabilities for better awareness, as well as efficient intervention. Follow me on LinkedIn