THE TEACHING OF LISTENING AND SPEAKING SKILLS

SUGGESTOPEDIA

A little background at the method / approach

1. What is the emphasis given to :The listening skillsThe speaking skillsThe writing skillsThe reading skills

Suggestopedia

Suggestopedia is a teaching method which is based on a modern understanding of how the human learn works and how we  learn most effectively.The term 'Suggestopedia', derived from suggestion and pedagogy, is often used loosely to refer to similar accelerated learning approaches. 

Objectives

The prime objective of Suggestopedia is to tap into more of students' mental potential to learn, in order to accelerate the process by which they learn to understand and use the target language for communication. 

Four factors considered essential in this process were the provision of a relaxed and comfortable learning enviroment, the use of soft Baroque music to help increase alpha brain waves and decrease blood pressure and heart rate, "desuggestion" in terms of the pyschological barriers learners place on their own learning potential, and "suggestibility" through the encouragement of learners assuming "child-like" and/or new roles and names in the target language.

Key Elements of Suggestopedia

PresentationA preparatory stage in which students are helped to relax and move into a positive frame of mind, with the feeling that the learning is going to be easy and fun.

First Concert - "Active Concert"This involves the active presentation of the material to be learnt. For example, in a foreign language course there might be the dramatic reading of a piece of text, accompanied by classical music.

Second Concert - "Passive Review"The students are now invited to relax and listen to some Baroque music, with the text being read very quietly in the background. The music is specially selected to bring the students into the optimum mental state for the effortless acquisition of the material.

PracticeThe use of a range of games, puzzles, etc. to review and consolidate the learning.

Key Features

Here are some of the key features of Suggestopedia:

(1)  Learning is facilitated in an environment that is as comfortable as possible, featuring soft cushioned seating and dim lighting.

(2)  "Peripheral" learning is encouraged through the presence in the learning environment of posters     nd decorations featuring the target language and various grammatical information.

(3)  The teacher assumes a role of complete authority and control in the classroom.

(4) Self-perceived and psychological barriers to learners' potential to learn are "desuggested".

(5)  Students are encouraged to be child-like, take "mental trips with the teacher" and assume new      roles and names in the target language in order to become more "suggestible".

(6)  Baroque music is played softly in the background to increase mental relaxation and potential to   take in and retain new material during the lesson.

(7)  Students work from lengthy dialogs in the target language, with an accompanying translation into      the students' native language.

(8)  Errors are tolerated, the emphasis being on content and not structure.  Grammar and vocabulary are presented and given treatment from the teacher, but not dwelt on.

(9)  Homework is limited to students re-reading the dialog they are studying - once before they go to  sleep at night and once in the morning before they get up.

(10)  Music, drama and "the Arts" are integrated into the learning process as often as possible.

Using Music in the ClassroomSix years ago researchers reported that people scored better on a standard IQ test after listening to Mozart. You would be surprised at how much music can also help English learners.

Helpful Drawing Hints"A picture paints a thousand words" - Easy techniques to make quick sketches that will help any artistically challenged teacher - like myself! - use drawings on the board to encourage and stimulate class discussions.

Using Colored PensThe use of colored pens to help the right brain remember patterns. Each time you use the pen it reinforces the learning process.

Brain GymThe brain is an organ and can be physically stimulated to improve learning. Use these simple exercises to help your students concentrate better and improve their learning abilities.

Suggestopedia: Lesson PlanIntroduction and lesson plan to a "concert" using the suggestopedia approach to effective/affective learning.