Taiwan Teacher Professional Development Series:
THE LEARNER-CENTERED WORLD LANGUAGE CLASSROOM
July 20, 2010
As a result of this discussion, students will be able to: Discuss Hofstede’s model of cultural dimensions, Look at MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES and
LEARNING STYLES Make emergent connections and applications of the
model to the foreign/second language learner with
implications for the classroom.
Objectives
3
Who is Geert Hofstede?
IBM work in countries around the world
Thousands of work related studies conducted
Made connection to potential impact on classroom setting
Work also carried on by son
“Culture is more often a source of conflict than of synergy. Cultural differences are often a disaster."
Prof. Geert Hofstede, Emeritus Professor, Maastricht University.
4
Five Identified Areas of Cultural Distance
Power Distance◦ Approach to authority is vertical (high) or horizontal
(low) Uncertainty Avoidance (Clarity)
◦ High need for certainty or a low need for certainty Individualism
◦ Need for individual high (individual) or low (group orientation)
Competition/Cooperation◦ High (competitive) or low (cooperation oriented)
Long Term Outlook◦ LTO Values vs. Short term Outlook (respect for
tradition)
Line 1 - a one word noun that is the opposite of the bottom noun in Line 7
Line 2 - 2 adjectives that describe the top noun
Line 3 - 3 verbs that the top noun does
Line 4 - 4 nouns that the top noun and the bottom noun both have
Line 5 - 3 verbs that the bottom noun does
Line 6 - 2 adjectives that describe the bottom noun
Line 7 - a one word noun that is the opposite of the top noun in Line 1
Write a Diamond Poem
TV Boring, Predictable
Sells, Preaches, Teaches Words, Pictures, Sounds, Action
Entertains, Thrills, KillsThoughtful, Meaningful
Movie
Sample 1
Bilingualismindigenous, international
conflicting, interacting, coexistingas an answer to lingua franca ---
spreading, homogenizing, eliminatingprominent, dominant
Monolingualism
Sample 2
MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES Theory developed and expanded by Howard
Gardner in the mid 1980s that helps explain how learners approach learning
According to Gardner, an “intelligence” is a set of brain functions that can be developed and expanded
Each of the 8 “intelligences” consists of skills that help individuals access and learn material and solve problems or difficulties
THE 8 MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES
Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence Logical/Mathematical Intelligence Visual/Spatial Intelligence Body/Kinesthetic Intelligence Musical/Rhythmic Intelligence Interpersonal/Social Intelligence Intrapersonal/Introspective Intelligence Naturalist Intelligence (Spiritualist/Existentialist Intelligence - in
research)
A Closer Look A closer examination of
the use of the multiple intelligences in our lesson planning, coupled with an understanding of varied learning styles, can enable classroom teachers to understand how a learner might more easily grasp and acquire a new concept if it is presented in a format that he/she can access.
Verbal /Linguistic Intelligence
The “Word Player” Intelligence related to words and
language Enjoys reading, writing, telling stories Learns best by seeing and saying In class, provide:
◦ language-based materials, books, journal activities, diaries, word games, listening activities, story-telling activities
◦ lectures, books on tape and discussions
Logical/Mathematical Intelligence The “Questioner”
Deals with inductive and deductive thinking/reasoning, numbers, recognition of abstract patterns
Enjoys experiments, working w/numbers, calculating, exploring patterns, sequential thought activities
Learns best by thinking & reasoning In class, provide:
◦ brainteasers, number games, critical thinking activities, manipulatives, equipment, problems
Visual/Spatial Intelligence The “Visualizer”
Relies on sense of sight and visualizing an object; can create internal mental images/pictures
Enjoys drawing, designing, creating, visuals Learns best by thinking in images and pictures,
colors in presentations Loves mazes and puzzles, imagining and creating
things In class, provide:
◦ art activities, visual presentations, mind-mapping, video, graphs, maps, posters, charts
Body/Kinesthetic Intelligence The “Mover”
Related to physical movement Enjoys active learning, jumping, talking, moving
about the classroom Learns best by interaction with space, tactile
activities and touch, movement Excels in sports, dance, physical movement In class,provide:
◦ TPR, gross motor & whole body activities, physical games, tactile experiences, hands-on learning, interviews
Musical/Rhythmic Intelligence The “Music Lover” Recognizes tonal patterns & has a
sensitivity to rhythm and beats Enjoys singing, tapping feet/hands to
rhythm, listening to/engaging with music Excels in picking up sounds (accent) and
melodies, singing In class, provide:
◦ music in the classroom, ways to incorporate rhythm & melody, rapping, songs, instruments
Interpersonal/Social Intelligence The “Socializer”
Operates primarily through person-to-person relationships & communication
Enjoys lots of friends, talking, group work, organizing, partying, relating
Learns best by cooperative learning, collaborative projects, relating
In class, provide:◦ board games, peer tutoring, simulations,
social role plays, group projects, interactive activities
Intrapersonal/Introspective
The “Individual” and “the Quiet One” Relates to inner states of being, self-
reflection, introspection Enjoys working alone, setting goals,
meditating, dreaming, planning, being quiet Learns best by working alone, individual
projects, self-paced instruction, “own” ideas In class, provide:
◦ independent study & projects, options, self-checking materials, journals, diaries, quiet time
Naturalist Intelligence The “Nature Lover” Taps into interest in nature and ability to
classify plants, minerals, animals Enjoys the out of doors, all natural
artifacts, environmental issues & science Learns best by working with natural
plants/animals in any setting In class, provide:
◦ discovery-based activities, natural topics
Spiritualist/Existentialist The “Thinker” Related to the individual who feels the
intangible & abstract, philosophical realm Enjoys meditating, helping others spiritually Learns best by having time to think, relate
to self, journal writing, reading philosophy In class, provide:
◦ journals, diaries, individualized learning, analysis
Connecting MI and Learning Styles is Important
MI Theory helps to explain how learners approach their learning
AND Learning Styles research provides
to teachers and students insight into the ways in which they
approach teaching and learning
LEARNING STYLES Research shows that effective learners
use specific strategies to enhance their learning retention and application of the knowledge. Students can be taught to use these strategies to become more able learners and to develop a sense of control over their own learning.
Implications for the Classroom Potential mismatch between a teacher’s
learning style, strongest intelligences and those of her students
Assess students’ learning styles and your own. Use this information to inform teaching and assessment practices and to help understand classroom dynamics
Be willing to change your teaching behavior and strategies - provide multiple opportunities for learning and assessing
Implications for the Classroom
Help students become aware of their own MI and learning styles and to acquire knowledge about how they can use this information to help them learn and to aid in group dynamics.
Implications for the Classroom There are positive results with working
with learners of the same MI or learning style, as well as with different ones.
Help students change, too - use their knowledge to move beyond their current comfort zone and to be flexible. These are important transferable skills!
So, in conclusion . . . . . .•EXAMINE
•LEARN ABOUT
•UTILIZE
THE MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES and
LEARNING STYLES RESEARCHin your lesson plan???
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