Analyzing Figurative Language in Niki’s Song Lyrics to Teach Listening Comprehension for EFL Learners Lydia Kusumahwati 1 , Nadia Sherly Andriani 2 , Putu Dian Danayanti Degeng 3 , Hamamah 4 {lydiakusumahwt@student.ub.ac.id 1 , nadiasherly@student.ub.ac.id 2 , dian_degeng@ub.ac.id 3 } Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia 1,2,3 Abstract. Popular songs contain cultural background that can be used as learning materials to help students comprehend listening skills. Popular songs from an Indonesian singer, Nicole Zefanya, can be used. This study was intended to analyze figurative language found in Nicole Zefanya’s song lyrics to teach listening comprehension through qualitative research. The population used in this study is Nicole Zefanya’s newest album titled “Nicole”. Through simple random sampling, the researchers selected three of Niki's songs entitled “High School in Jakarta”, “Anaheim”, and “Oceans and Engines”. The result of this study found that between the three songs, metaphor was commonly used. This research also divided learning activities into three listening activities, which are pre- listening, whilst listening, and post listening. Keywords: Figurative Language, Teaching Listening, Song Lyrics. 1. Introduction Listening is one of the skills that all language learners need to acquire, especially for English foreign learners. Students who did not get enough exposure to English language may encounter problems. In Indonesian EFL classrooms, students faced several problems related to listening comprehension. Lestari et al [1] mentions several problems that emerge when it comes to listening problems are; lack of equipment to assist listening activities, a shortage of listening tools, little time in classroom for listening activities, boredom, students’ low abilities in prediction techniques, inadequate vocabulary, some students are easily distracted in classroom, and the provided materials are not suitable for students' level. It is unfortunate that Indonesian students encountered those problems because listening allows English foreign students to comprehend other skills like reading, writing, and speaking. In consequence, English foreign students in Indonesia tend to have low ability in listening comprehension. Students’ low ability in listening comes from unfamiliar vocabulary and students’ level of focus. Unfamiliar vocabulary is the common problem encountered in learning any language skill. Students who are limited in their vocabulary may find many unfamiliarity within the listening session in the classroom. They may start using their prior knowledge and predicting skills in order to try understanding those unfamiliar words. However, students may trap themselves to mistranslate the unfamiliar vocabulary. If the meaning of vocabulary wasn't in line with the ICOLLEC 2022, November 11-12, Malang, Indonesia Copyright © 2023 EAI DOI 10.4108/eai.11-11-2022.2329348