Analysis of the relationship between students’ proficiency level and their ability to identify figurative language

Abstract concepts are frequently expressed in natural language by means of metaphors, metonymies and other types figurative language. Knowledge appropriate use these conceptual instances actual university graduates related to L2 mastery, therefore instruction is expected facilitate acquisition. The aim this paper study ESP higher-education students’ competence its relationship their overall competence. An empirical measures the ability recognize metaphors metonymies, including demographic, sociological individual factors (including effect informal learning English extra-curricular activities) as interpretive data on such reflective recognition. Results indicate a significant difference learners’ interpretation across academic disciplines. In addition, proficiency age, together with two (regular English-related leisure activities speaking phone) recognition specialised University context. Age choices also turned out be identification literal meaning choice. findings present have important implications for practitioners regarding teaching students, well learners when practising extracurricular activities. It seems relevance insert into programs L2/FL at all levels proficiency.