Suggestopedia Essay

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Suggestopedia,
The Impact of Music, Relaxation and Teachers in 2nd Language Environment
Colleen Ann Jardine
Thongsook College, Bangkok, Thailand Abstract
This paper discusses Suggestopedia as an approach to second language learning through music in order to reach an optimal state of relaxation which helps the brain activate and accelerate the learning process and the importance of the teacher and impact they have in the learning process. Firstly, the paper looks into the background history, then Lozanov’s theory, followed by Research behind Lozanov’s theory - Music, Language and the Brain, after that the Suggestopedia method that guides this approach. Consecutively, it focuses on the effects music has when learning a second language …show more content…

The uniqueness to Suggestopedia is firstly the use of Beethoven and Baroque as background music and secondly, a huge importance is placed on the classroom setting to ensure relaxation.
Suggestopedia is part of the” humanistic approach” to language learning and is considered to be the strangest method to be developed during 1980 – 1990. The belief to this approach is that humans have the ability to learn a language at a much faster rate through the understanding of how the human brain functions and how effectively we learn. Through the use of music, a stress-free environment, teacher and student positive attitudes to learning, an optimal state can be achieved and success will be …show more content…

Originally the method made use of lengthy dialogues, vocabulary lists and observations on grammatical points. There are four phases to the method which are firstly the introduction, secondly the active and passive concert readings; thirdly elaboration and finally production.
The first step to Suggestopedia method is the introduction where the material is introduced in a playful manner by the teacher.
The second step to Suggestopedia method is the “Concert Reading - active”. It is the most formal reading, where the use of classical music from the Beethoven symphony is used. The music is used as the focal point of the lesson and the students are allowed to sit back and either listens to the music or to both the teacher and the music. It is believed that this creates a relaxed atmosphere where learning takes place. The teacher reads the dialogue to emphasize intonation and rhythm according to the beat or rhythm of the

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