MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE THEORY AND ITS APPLICATION IN THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSROOM

Sanja Cukic

Abstract


Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligence which appeared in the 1980’s, was a revolutionary work that changed traditional perspective on human mind and learning. In the beginning, the theory was approached with doubt, since it opposed the belief that intelligence was an inherited, single entity, measured by IQ tests. According to this theory, there are eight types of intelligence which are to a certain extent present in each individual, and can be developed with practice. This means that there are different types of learners who are, depending on their type of intelligence, able to adopt certain materials more efficiently than others. The imperative of the theory was the change of curriculum and its adjustment to all eight types of learners. In accordance with this fact, many educators, who recognized the differences in learning among their students, applied this theory in order to enhance the quality of teaching. The purpose of this paper is to show the importance of this theory in ESL, as well as many different possibilities of applying it in a classroom. The attention will also be paid to some activities suitable for eight types of intelligence which can be used in the FL classroom. The topics that this paper is exploring could be interesting not only to English teachers, but to all educators.

Keywords


Howard Gardner, Multiple intelligence theory, education, FL classroom

Full Text:

PDF

References


Amstrong, T. (1994). Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom. Alexandria: VA: ASCD.

Arnold, J., & Fonseca, C. (n.d.). Multiple Intelligence Theory and Foreign Language Learning: A Brain-based Perspective. International Journal of English Studies. University of Murcia , 123.

Brown, D. H. (1994). Methodology. San Francisco.

Campbell, L. (1997). How Teachers Interprete MI Theory. Educational Leadership.

Gardner, H. (1985). Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic Books.

Gutloff, K. (1996). Multiple intelligences. National Education Association of the United States .

Hoerr, T. R. (1997). Frog Ballets and Musical Fractions. ASCD .

Kail, R. (1985). Human Intelligence: Perspectives and Prospectives. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company.

Reid, J. (1998). Understanding Learning Styles in the Second Language Classroom. Upper Saddle River: NJ: Prentice Hall Regents.

Richards, J., & Rodgers, T. (2001). Approaches and Methods in Language teaching. London: Cambridge University Press.

Weinreich, U. (n.d.). The Varieties of Intelligence: An Interview with Howard Gardner. New Ideas in Psychology.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.