Suggestopedia

Suggestopedia, developed by Bulgarian psychiatrist Georgi Lozanov in the 1970s, is an innovative teaching method that emphasizes the power of suggestion and the relaxation of students to enhance learning. This approach is rooted in the belief that a positive and comfortable learning environment can significantly impact students' ability to absorb and retain information. By utilizing music, art, and a variety of sensory experiences, Suggestopedia aims to create a holistic learning atmosphere that fosters deep engagement and motivation. This method contrasts with more traditional approaches by prioritizing emotional and psychological factors in the learning process.

Georgi Lozanov

Author and Background

Georgi Lozanov, the pioneer of Suggestopedia, was not only a psychiatrist but also a linguist and educator. His extensive research into the psychological aspects of learning led him to explore how suggestion and relaxation could facilitate language acquisition. Lozanov's background in both psychology and education allowed him to develop a comprehensive framework for Suggestopedia, which combines elements of cognitive science, pedagogy, and therapeutic techniques. His work gained international attention, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to the implementation of Suggestopedia in various educational contexts around the world.

Objectives of the Method

The primary objective of Suggestopedia is to create a conducive environment for learning that minimizes anxiety and maximizes receptivity. By employing techniques such as comfortable seating, soothing music, and artistic stimuli, the method seeks to lower the affective filter that often hinders language acquisition. Lozanov believed that when students feel relaxed and secure, their capacity for learning increases dramatically. This approach also aims to promote not just linguistic skills but also cultural understanding and emotional connections to the language being learned.

Importance of Environments

The learning environment in Suggestopedia is paramount to its effectiveness. Lozanov emphasized the significance of physical space, decor, and ambiance in promoting a positive learning experience. Classrooms designed with comfortable seating, soft lighting, and engaging visuals contribute to a relaxed atmosphere where students can thrive. Furthermore, the incorporation of music and art not only enriches the learning experience but also stimulates emotional responses that enhance memory retention. By prioritizing the environment, Suggestopedia seeks to create a holistic space that nurtures both the intellectual and emotional aspects of language learning, ultimately leading to more profound and lasting educational outcomes.

Role of Students and Teachers

In the Suggestopedia classroom, the roles of students and teachers are distinctly defined yet collaborative. Students are viewed as active participants in their learning journey, encouraged to explore and express themselves freely. They engage in role-playing, group activities, and creative exercises that enhance their learning experience. On the other hand, teachers act as facilitators and guides rather than traditional authority figures. They create a nurturing environment, employing various techniques to foster a sense of community and support among students. This dynamic interaction between students and teachers is crucial for the success of the Suggestopedia method.

The origin of Suggestopedia

by MOHAMMED RHALMI - July 23, 2009

Suggestopedia is a language teaching method developed by the Bulgarian psychologist, Georgi Lozanov (see picture on the right.) Like Community Language Learning and the Silent Way Method, Suggestopedia is an innovative method that promises great effective language learning results. Lozanov claimed that by using this method one can teach languages approximately three to five times as quickly as conventional methods.

The name of Suggestopedia is from the words “suggestion” and “pedagogy.” It is a set of learning recommendations derived from Suggestology, which Lozanov describes as “a science … concerned with systematic study of the nonrational and/or non-conscience influences” that human beings are constantly responding to. The method also draws from insights from yoga and Soviet psychology. From yoga, it draws the importance of relaxation of mind for maximum retention of material. From Soviet psychology, Lozanov took the idea that:

“all sudents can be taught a given subject matter at the same level of skill.” Jack C. Richards and Theodore S. Rodgers (1986)

The main features of suggestopedia are:

The use of music to relax learners.
The furniture, decoration, and the arrangement of the classroom.
Teacher’s authority. The teacher plays a central role and he/she is the source of all information.

In the classroom

The arrangements and the physical atmosphere in the classroom are paramount for making sure that the students feel comfortable and confident. The use of various techniques including art and music are used by trained teachers. In the beginning, the lesson based on Suggestopedia used to consist of three phases: deciphering, concert session (memorization séance), and elaboration. Later, 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 the lexis and grammar of the text in a directive manner.
Concert session (active and passive): in the active session, the teacher reads with special intonation 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.

Criticism:

Suggestopedia has been criticised for a number of reasons:

It is not a practical method as teachers face the problem of the availability of music and comfortable chairs.
Lozanov refers in a number of occasions to the importance of memorization, excluding any reference to comprehension and creative problem solving. In fact, language is not only about the power of the mind to memorize. It’s about understanding, interacting, and producing novel utterances in different unpredictable situations.

Advantages

In spite of all these disadvantages, some tenets of Suggestopedia have been accepted and adapted by teachers worldwide.

Through Suggetopedia we learn to trust the power of the mind.
We also learn that deliberately induced states of relaxation can be valuable at times in the classroom.
We can also benefit from the use of music to get students to it back and relax.

These are some of the contributions of Suggestopedia that teachers may weigh and adapt to different situations.

References:

H. Douglas Brown (1987). Principles of language learning and teaching. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, Prentice Hall

Richards, Jack C. and Theodore S. Rodgers (1986). Approaches and methods in language teaching: A description and analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

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