In this post I’m throwing light on a question I get asked all the time by language teachers: what is Suggestopedia teaching method? More specifically, what is the difference between Suggestopedia and teaching languages through drama? As a certified suggestopedic teacher, I want to help other language teachers to get clear on that substantial difference.
Here are the hot questions you’ll get answered:
- What is Suggestopedia teaching method in language teaching?
- Does Suggestopedia apply to language teaching only?
- Where does Suggestopedia teaching method stand inside the continuum of drama-based methods for language teaching?
- What are the common features Suggestopedia teaching method shares with other drama-based methods?
- What are the key differences between Suggestopedia and all other drama methods for language teaching?
Can’t wait to implement some Suggestopedia into your lessons? Get your free guide below:
What is Suggestopedia teaching method in language teaching?
In a nutshell, Suggestopedia is a pedagogy enabling learners to acquire a language at least x6 faster through games, music, art and drama. In the original suggestopedic framework the learners acquire within the timeframe of the lessons and they don’t need to do homework or self-revision. That is one of the reasons why Suggestopedia is recommended by UNESCO as a superior learning and teaching methodology.
Does Suggestopedia apply to language teaching only?
Since Suggestopedia is a pedagogy, it can be implemented for teaching any subjects, beyond MFL. However, we can find the most solid practice in modern foreign language teaching.
Where does Suggestopedia teaching method stand inside the continuum of drama-based methods for language teaching?
Suggestopedia is a methodological framework encompassing all forms of art, potentially. As a consequence, drama falls under the family of methods we implement in a suggestopedic lesson.
In another post I talked about the continuum of drama methods for language teaching. The model proposed by the authors Kao and O’Neill shows the drama-based methods along a continuum, where the methods are split into 3 categories: controlled methods, semi-controlled methods and open communication methods.
Now, Kao and O’Neill did not include Suggestopedia teaching method. However, I’d like to amend the continuum to embody Suggestopedia, too. What I teach in my teachers training courses is that we can place Suggestopedia at the end of the continuum, under the “open communication methods” category. Why? Because of two reasons.
Firstly, Suggestopedia is all about communicating and getting to speak from the very beginning of the very first lesson. Secondly, Suggestopedia is all about enabling the learners to express themselves, unleash their personality and potential as much as they can, in the words they can speak, feeling safe and fearless about making mistakes. In fact, speaking without making any mistake is no longer the point for the suggestopedic learners. Instead, the point is to get creative with the target language, to share their ideas and thoughts. To shine, I like to say!
What are the common features Suggestopedia teaching method shares with other drama-based methods?
Suggestopedia is a communication-centred method. That is the main feature Suggestopedia has in common with all other drama methods for teaching languages.
Furthermore, another feature is related to the expected results. In fact, both in Suggestopedia and in all other drama methods, the main purpose of engaging the learners with drama in the lesson is to produce language.
What are the key differences between Suggestopedia and all other drama methods for language teaching?
There is one, main feature that sets Suggestopedia apart from all other drama methods. First of all, Suggestopedia is not a drama method. In fact, it is a pedagogy. This means Suggestopedia is a framework of guidelines and principles which. That framework can embody drama, too, as a teaching and learning method. However, drama is only one of the means implemented. As an artistic means, drama plays a relevant role in suggestopedic lessons. For instance, when learners create their own identity and characters they will carry out throughout the whole suggestopedic course.
Other means are: other forms of art (drawing, dancing, ballet, music, poetry, etc.) as well as games, grammar exercises, and so on.
Wrapping up
In short, Suggestopedia can’t be categorised as a drama method. That’s because it is a pedagogy, which means Suggestopedia encompasses drama, too, as a learning method. Suggestopedia teaching method is totally communication-oriented and it encourages learners to express themselves in the most creative and spontaneous way from the very beginning.
Hope this post helped to clarify what to expect from Suggestopedia, compared to all other drama methods for teaching languages.
Before you go, try to implement the tips I collected in the FREE guide below to have a go with some of the principles of Suggestopedia:
