Metaphor as the means to promote the learner’s cognitive activity

Metaphor as one of the active learning methods aims at developing the ability to solve various professional tasks proficiently (with a high degree of independence). This is a perfect method of unobtrusive influence targeting directly the unconscious as it has the capacity to ease the resistance. The psychological mechanism of metaphor’s effect is the transference on the object, image or situation which removes possible stereotypes of thinking, behaviour and reaction typical for this situation. There is extrapolation of implications, revival of creative resources of imagination, semantic mediation, archetypes’ realization and facilitation. A metaphor makes a person detach from the problem avoiding his instinctive protection mechanisms, shifts the focus from the obstacles to the possibilities and ready action algorithms, metaphors are always picturesque and connected with the situation, which makes them an important tool of raising learners’ involvement into the process of getting knowledge and skills.