SUGGESTOPEDIA

“Learning is a matter of attitude, not aptitude.”

Georgi Lozanov

 

Suggestopedia is a teaching method which is based on a modern understanding of how the human brain works and how we learn most effectively. It was developed by the Bulgarian doctor and psychotherapist Georgi Lozanov. The term 'Suggestopedia', derived from suggestion and pedagogy, is often used loosely to refer to similar accelerated learning approaches.

Suggestopedia was originally applied mainly in foreign language teaching, and it is often claimed that it can teach languages approximately three times as quickly as conventional methods. It is now applied in several other fields, and its central ideas inspired the development of my own Brainware workshops.

Characteristics

Some of the key elements of Suggestopedia include a rich sensory learning environment (pictures, colour, music, etc.), a positive expectation of success and the use of a varied range of methods: dramatised texts, music, active participation in songs and games, etc.

Suggestopedia adopts a carefully structured approach, using four main stages as follows:

    * Presentation

      A 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.

    * Practice

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

Advantages

·        Build up good relationship between teacher and students, and among participants.

·        Without native language translation.

·        Peripheral learning let learners learn unconsciously.

Disadvantages

• Traditional books cannot be used in a Suggestopedic class since they fail to present the content and grammar following the function of the human brain.
• Lack of a sound theory of language learning as it's just an assumption.
• It does not take into account different purposes of learning or learning styles.

Here are two examples of a class with Suggestopedia

Why UNESCO is in favor of this method? Comment on it.