Metaphors are useful for writers because once established, they allow writers to concisely convey intended meanings by referencing the metaphor rather than needing to extensively explain rationales or guidelines. In education, the metaphor of teaching/learning has come to represent the cooperative spirit of a humanistic classroom. The director's role in a communicative classroom is a creative one focused on getting students to use language through establishing short-term objectives aligned with student interests, and connecting with other professionals by sharing ideas and classroom visits. Writers must create materials that encourage spontaneous classroom behavior, and have strong understanding of linguistic theories, target and native cultures, and educational contexts.