Teach English in Hangtou Zhen - Shanghai Shi

Multiple IntelligenceStudents collect information in different ways, some of them learn by listening to a song, others by looking at flashcards or watching videos, or simply by touching objects (realia). Each student has a unique and distinctive learning process, because there is no wrong or perfect method in learning. Pupils are always learning, they can learn either inside the classroom or outside of it. Each child has his/her own learning style. Howard Gardner, an American psychologist and educator, wrote in 1983 ?Frames of Mind?. Gardner states in his book that there is not only one intelligence or learning style in a person. There are at least eight intelligences working together, but as semi-autonomous entities. Each student develops one learning style more than the rest, and these intelligences are the following: ? Verbal Linguistic Intelligence: Language is a universal gift, everybody can learn it, and even deaf people are able to use signs to communicate themselves. It is communicating and understanding things through words. Children develop this intelligence the most by reading stories, making presentations, reading aloud, speaking, writing journals, etc. ? Mathematical Logical Intelligence: This intelligence is based on numbers; people who are gifted by this intelligence solve problems faster, work with patterns and relationships, they can also classify, categorize and work with the abstract. ? Visual/Spatial Intelligence: People developing this style like designing, drawing, daydreaming and looking at pictures. They are also very strong in visual arts. Photographers and Artists are the ones who work on this intelligence the most. ? Intrapersonal Intelligence: It is the awareness of a person?s emotional life. People with intrapersonal intelligence are strong in understanding self, setting goals and recognizing strengths and weaknesses. They prefer working alone rather than joining groups. They also need their time to reflect and do self-paced projects. ? Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: Athletes and dancers use this type of intelligence. It is based on bodily movements. It is the capacity to perform activities involving a person?s strength flexibility, speed, coordination and balance. ? Interpersonal Intelligence: In this style, people like to have friends, socialize, talk and interact with people, and join groups. It is mainly focused on understanding people?s feelings, temperament, motivations and intentions. It is all about understanding people, resolving conflicts among groups and leading individuals. Entrepreneurs, teachers, psychologists and therapists possess this intelligence. ? Musical/Rhythmic Intelligence: It is the capacity of listening, singing and playing instruments, People can pick up songs, remember melodies and rhythms. Students with this intelligence enjoy singing, humming, and listening to different kinds of music. And they definitely learn best by melodies rather than books or visual effects. Songwriters, singers and musicians use this intelligence more than the others. ? Naturalistic Intelligence: Are most likely to understand nature, identify flora and fauna; they also prefer exploring things. People who acquire this style enjoy being surrounded by plants, animals just to understand their origin and habitat. Another Intelligence has been included by the American Psychologist David Goleman in 1995: Emotional Intelligence. Goleman says people who develop this style, have the ability to recognize and manage emotions of oneself or others. All these intelligences are very important when it comes to teaching. In a classroom, we need to know our students; we must have an impact on them so a significant learning can occur. It is a fact that each individual learns in a different way than the rest, which is the reason why we need to use methods and techniques to reach students; our students will be more successful, and learn better and faster if we match their abilities and developed intelligences with innovative activities that can make the class more enjoyable and enriching. In an english Language Teaching Classroom, teachers have infinity of activities to come up with in order to make a successful and memorable lesson. The four skills (reading, speaking, listening, and writing) require activities in which some intelligences can be developed. Teachers just need to know each student?s strengths. Teachers can also group students according their preferred styles to accomplish a task; in that way, all students will benefit and a communicative and significant approach will be done.