Desuggestopedia

Universidade TiradentesLinguística Aplicada

Profa. MSc. Daniele Almeida

Carlson SérgioDaniel David

Marcia Regina

What is Desuggestopedia?

It is an approach to education whose primary objective is to tap the extraordinary reserve capacities we all possess but rarely if ever use. The Bulgarian scientist, Dr. Georgi Lozanov, for example, has demonstrated that through a carefully “orchestrated” learning environment including most importantly a specially-trained teacher, the learning process can be accelerated by a factor of three to ten times enjoyably. Such results are possible through the proper use of suggestion.

SUGGESTOPEDIA is the study of these suggestive factors in a learning situation.

Classroom set-up

Armchair; Light is comfortable; Everything is bright and colorful; Posters; Music; The teacher speaks confidently; The teacher leads the class in various activities involving the

dialog, for example, question-and-answer, repetition, and translation;

The teacher should integrate indirect positive suggestion (there is no limit to what you can do) into the learning situation.

Fine artsOne of the ways the students’ mental reserves are stimulated is through integration of the fine arts-music, drama, or paintings.

Enjoy your learningThe teacher gives the students the impression that learning is easy and enjoyable.It’s desire that the students achieve a state of ‘infantilization’ so they will be more open to learning.

Choosing a new identityThis enhances students’ feeling of securityand allowsthem to be more open.

Positive suggestionDirect suggestionIndirect suggestion

In Practice The lesson of Suggestopedia consisted of three phases at first : deciphering,

concert session (memorization séance), and elaboration.

Deciphering:The teacher introduces the grammar and lexis of the content.

Concert session (active and passive):In the active session, the teacher reads the text at a normal speed, sometimes intoning some words, and the students follow. In the passive session, the students relax and listen to the teacher reading the text calmly. Music (“Pre-Classical”) is played background.

Elaboration:The students finish off what they have learned with dramas, songs, and games. Then it has developed into four phases as lots of experiments were done : introduction, concert session, elaboration, and production.

Introduction: The teacher teaches the material in “a playful manner” instead of analyzing lexis and grammar of the text in a directive manner.

Concert session (active and passive):In the active session, the teacher reads with intoning as selected music is played. Occasionally, the students read the text together with the teacher, and listen only to the music as the teacher pauses in particular moments. The passive session is done more calmly.

Elaboration:The students sing classical songs and play games while “the teacher acts more like a consultant.”

Production:The students spontaneously speak and interact in the target language without interruption or correction.

How to teach using Suggestopedia

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. The way they present information is not according to the real way the human brain processes information. The whole book has to be adapted to be used in a Suggestopedic class. It is hard work but the final result are worth it.

In Brazil, there is a teacher who developed a whole teacher training course to apply and use Suggestopedia using traditional books. He teaches how to adapt and create a new Suggestopedic book to be used in Suggestopedic classes. The training also teaches the teachers how to conduct an intensive course in English or in any other foreign language using the newest development of Suggestopedia – Desuggestopedia.

Thank you!