Suggestopedia A Second Language Learning Approach Melissa Houseman

Suggestopedia A Second Language Learning Approach Melissa Houseman, Katie Foster, Colleen Foy Sterling

History and Origin of the Approach ● Developed by Georgi Lozanov, Bulgarian psychotherapist, in the 1970’s. ● Includes applied positive suggestion. ● Overtime emphasis away from suggestion and renamed “de-suggestopedia-zation”. Not hypnosis.

Classical Music Soothes and Opens the Mind

how this approach works The original meaning of suggestion was offering or proposing, offering student choice. Сугестопедията Sugestopediyata The students feel comfortable and confident.

steps to suggestopedia ● Introduction: The teacher teaches the material in “a playful manner” ● Concert session (active and passive): o Active: the teacher reads with intoning as selected music is played. o Passive: Reading done more calmly. ● Elaboration: Students play games, sing songs, act out dramas ● Production: Students speak in target language with little correction

the UNDERLYING THEORIES AND BELIEFS “Dr. Georgi Lozanov’s Suggestopedia employs mental concentration combined with some form of selfrelaxation creating conditions for activating the autosuggestive mechanisms and hence the capacities of the unconscious or the reserves of the mind. ” -Jane Bancroft

WHAT IS THE NOTION OF LEARNING, OF LANGUAGE LEARNING THAT THIS APPROACH TAKES? ★ A relaxed, friendly, welcoming atmosphere helps second language learners feel comfortable to make mistakes.

WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN THIS APPROACH? The role of the teacher is to provide students with the text, and slowly involve the students more and more. The students first listen, and then become involved by repeating, reading along with the teacher, or participating in a drama, song, or game.

Questions Is this approach effective? ● Yes, some children seem to be more retentive to calm tones. ● And no, because other’s find it distracting or that it induces sleep. What type of student? ● Approach seems to be effective with children K-5. What level of proficiency? ● Elementary proficiency.

CRITIQUES TO THIS APPROACH ● ● ● Little evidence to positively support Suggestopedia. Hard to study it’s effectiveness. Hard to promote positive thinking. Not ideal for large classes. Not ideal for adults, because they are too mature. Students may lose interest, due to the relaxed atmosphere.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS APPROACH? ● Colleen: Sometimes called a pseudoscience, depends on the faith students have, in teacher, in method. Students have to believe that it works. It could be fun! Also could help toward a more authentic feel for the language, with more attention to nuances in speech (less accent? ) ● Katie: I feel because this method is open to many different approaches, this can work for many people. Teachers can include what they like and do what works best for them, while still using the main teaching method: helping students learn through the power of suggestion. ● Missy: I love the idea of creating a relaxed atmosphere. I believe that it is more effective to have the students calm and relaxed, because they will be less nervous to learn a new language.

RESOURCES http: //www. onestopenglish. com/support/methodology/teaching-approaches-what-issuggestopedia/146499. article , retrieved on 9/23/2014 http: //jeffstar. blog. sohu. com/43920795. html , retreived on 9/27/2014 http: //www. davidenglishhouse. com/en/resources/snakespdfs/Emily. Homma. pdf, retreieved on 9/27/2014

MUSIC SESSION (concert) The music is selected to be calming, peaceful, relaxing. Lighting is muted. Vivaldi, Antonio- Concerto for Flute and Orchestra

Hallo zusammen! Heute werden wir unsere Körperteilen lernen! Ich habe einen Kopf. Das hier ist eine Schulter. Ich habe zwei Schultern. Hier ist mein Knie. Das hier ist ein Fuß Ich habe zwei Augen, und auch zwei Ohren. Ich habe eine Nase Hier ist mein Mund.