Question

Which language teaching method employs elements like Baroque music, comfortable classroom settings, and peripheral learning to reduce learner anxiety and enhance memory?

• A. A. Community Language Learning
• B. B. The Natural Approach
• C. C. Suggestopedia
• D. D. The Communicative Approach

Answer 1

Answer:

C. C. Suggestopedia

Suggestopedia: A Language Teaching Method

• Suggestopedia, developed by the Bulgarian psychotherapist and educator Georgi Lozanov in the 1970s, is a radical teaching method primarily used for foreign language acquisition.
• It is founded on the principles of "desuggestion" and "suggestibility," aiming to unlock the brain's learning potential by reducing psychological barriers and enhancing memory.
• One of its core aims is to alleviate learner anxiety and stress, which are believed to hinder the learning process. This aligns with Stephen Krashen's Affective Filter Hypothesis, suggesting that low anxiety facilitates language acquisition.
• The method creates a highly comfortable and aesthetically pleasing classroom environment, often resembling a living room, with soft lighting and comfortable seating to promote relaxation.
• A distinctive feature is the use of Baroque music, particularly the slow movements (Largo), during specific phases of the lesson. This music is believed to induce an alpha brain wave state, making learners more receptive and improving memory retention.
• Peripheral learning is another key element, where learning materials such as grammatical charts, vocabulary lists, and pictures are displayed around the classroom. The idea is that learners absorb this information subconsciously.
• The teacher's role is authoritative but also nurturing, creating a trusting and secure atmosphere. They act as a facilitator, guiding students through various activities.
• Lessons often involve role-playing, games, songs, and dialogues, where students may adopt new identities to reduce inhibitions and encourage spontaneous language use.
• Suggestopedia emphasizes the importance of intonation, rhythm, and the emotional context of language, believing these elements contribute significantly to memory and fluency.
• It claims to achieve accelerated learning, allowing students to acquire a large amount of vocabulary and grammar quickly and effortlessly.