Multiple Intelligences

The theory of multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University. It suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on I.Q. testing, is far too limited. Instead, Dr. Gardner proposes eight different intelligences to account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults.

–1-Linguistic Intelligence : word smart

–2-Logical-mathematical intelligence: number smart

–3-Spatial intelligence : picture smart

–4- Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence : body smart

–5-Musical intelligence : music smart

–6-Interpersonal intelligence : people smart

–7-Intrapersonal intelligence : self smart

–8--Naturalist intelligence : nature smart

–

Dr. Gardner says that our schools and culture focus most of their attention on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence. We esteem the highly articulate or logical people of our culture. However, Dr. Gardner says that we should also place equal attention on individuals who show gifts in the other intelligences: the artists, architects, musicians, naturalists, designers, dancers, therapists, entrepreneurs, and others who enrich the world in which we live. The theory of multiple intelligences proposes a major transformation in the way our schools are run. It suggests that teachers be trained to present their lessons in a wide variety of ways using music, cooperative learning, art activities, role play, multimedia, field trips, inner reflection, and much more .

• Accelerated Learning for Adults.mht \ F:

Here are the eight intelligences :

Linguistic Intelligence

The ability to read , write and communicate with words.

Authors, journalists, poets, orators and comedians are

obvious examples of people with linguistic intelligence.

Famous examples: Charles Dickens, Abraham Lincoln,

T.S. Eliot, Sir Winston Churchill .

Mathematical Intelligence-Logical

The ability to reason and calculate, to think things through

in a logical, systematic manner. These are the kinds of

skills highly developed in engineers, scientists,

economists, accountants, detectives and members of the

legal profession .

Famous examples: Albert Einstein, John Dewey .

Spatial Intelligence-Visual

The ability to think in pictures, visualize a future result. To

imagine things in your mind's eye. Architects, sculptors,

sailors, photographers and strategic planners. You use it

when you have a sense of direction,when you navigate

or draw .

Famous examples: Picasso, Frank Lloyd Wright .

Musical Intelligence

The ability to make or compose music, to sing well, or understand and appreciate music , to keep rhythm. It's a talent obviously enjoyed by musicians, composers, and recording engineers. But most of us have a musical intelligence which can be developed. Think of how helpful it is to learn with a jingle or rhyme .

Famous examples: Mozart, Leonard Bernstein, Ray Charles .

Kinesthetic Intelligence-Bodily

The ability to use your body skillfully to solve problems,

create products or present ideas and emotions. An ability

obviously displayed for athletic pursuits, dancing, acting,

artistically, or in building and construction. You can

include surgeons in this category but many people who

are physically talented–"good with their hands"–don't

recognize that this form of intelligence is of equal value to

the other intelligences .

Famous examples: Charlie Chaplin, Michael Jordan

Interpersonal (Social) Intelligence

The ability to work effectively with others, to relate to other

people, and display empathy and understanding, to

notice their motivations and goals. This is a vital human

intelligence displayed by good teachers, facilitators,

therapists, politicians, religious leaders and sales people.

Famous examples: Gandhi, Ronald Reagan, Mother

Teresa, Oprah Winfrey.

Intrapersonal Intelligence

The ability for self-analysis and reflection–to be able to

quietly contemplate and assess one's accomplishments,

to review one's behavior and innermost feelings, to make

plans and set goals, the capacity to know oneself.

Philosophers, counselors, and many peak performers in

all fields of endeavor have this form of intelligence .

Famous examples: Freud, Eleanor Roosevelt, Plato .

In 1996, Gardner decided to add an eighth intelligence

(Naturalist) and in spite of much speculation resisted the

temptation to add a ninth–Spiritualist Intelligence .

Naturalist Intelligence

The ability to recognize flora and fauna, to make other

consequential distinctions in the natural world and to use

this ability productively–for example in hunting, farming,

or biological science. Farmers, botanists,

conservationists, biologists, environmentalists would all

display aspects of the intelligence .

Famous examples: Charles Darwin, E.O. Wilson

Multiple intelligences in the ESL

Classroom

Here is a discussion of the eight different

intelligences Dr. Gardner proposes and their

relationship to the ESL / EFL classroom. Each

explanation is followed by lesson plans or exercises

which can be used in class.

Verbal / Linguistic

Explanation and understanding through the use of words.This is the most common means of teaching. In the most traditional sense, the teacher teaches and the students learn. However, this can also be turned around and students can help each other understand concepts. While teaching to other types of intelligences is extremely important, this type of teaching focuses on using language and will continue to play the primary role in learning English.

Example Lesson Plans

Comparative and Superlative Forms

Using Context-Reading

Visual / Spatial

Explanation and comprehension through the use of pictures, graphs, maps, etc.This type of learning gives students visual clues to help them remember language. In my opinion, the use of visual, spatial and situational clues is probably the reason learning a language in an English speaking country (Canada, USA, England, etc.) is the most effective way to learn English.

Example Lesson Plans

Vocabulary Charts

Body / Kinesthetic

Ability to use the body to express ideas, accomplish tasks, create moods, etc.This type of learning combines physical actions with linguistic responses and are very helpful for tying language to actions. In other words, repeating "I'd like to pay by credit card." in a dialogue is much less effective than having a student act out a role-play in which he pulls out his wallet and says, "I'd like to pay by credit card."

Example Lesson Plans

Lego Building BlocksSimon Says-Young Learner's Games for ESL Classes

Logical / Mathematical

Use of logic and mathematical models to represent and work with ideas.Grammar analysis falls into this type of learning style. Many teachers feel that English teaching syllabi are too loaded towards grammar analysis which has little to do with communicative ability. Nonetheless, using a balanced approach, grammar analysis has it's place in the classroom. Unfortunately, because of certain standardized teaching practices, this type of teaching sometimes tends to dominate the classroom.

Example Lesson Plans

English Grammar Review

Musical

Ability to recognize and communicate using melody, rhythm, and harmony.

This type of learning is sometimes underestimated in ESL

classrooms. If you keep in mind that English is a very

rhythmic language because of its tendency to accent

only certain words, you'll recognize that music plays a

role in the classroom as well.

Example Lesson Plans

Grammar Chants

Music in the Classroom

Practicing Stress and Intonation

Tongue Twisters

Interpersonal

Ability to get along with others, work with others to accomplish tasks.Group learning is based on interpersonal skills. Not only do students learn while speaking to others in an "authentic" setting, they develop English speaking skills while reacting to others. Obviously, not all learners have excellent interpersonal skills. For this reason, group work needs to balanced with other activities.

Example Lesson Plans

Let's Do Tourism

Intrapersonal

Learning through self-knowledge leading to understanding of motives, goals, strengths and weaknesses.

This intelligence is essential for long-term English learning.

Students who are aware of these types of issues will be

able to deal with underlying issues that can improve or

hamper English usage.

Example Lesson Plans

Setting ESL Objectives

Environmental

Ability to recognize elements of and learn from the natural world around us.

Similar to visual and spatial skills, Environmental intelligence will help students master English required to interact with their environment.

Example lesson plan

Field trips

Traditionally, academic subjects have been taught in

ways that largely involve two intelligences–linguistic and

logical-mathematical. Now consider what an IQ test

basically measures–ability with words and numbers. So

students who are naturally strong in linguistic and

mathematical intelligences do well on the standard

Stanford-Binet IQ test. Therefore, it's a fairly good

predictor of success at school because the way we teach

(lectures) and the material with which we deal (logically

constructed books) depend heavily on these two

intelligences. Since teachers are drawn from people who

do well at school, it's a self-perpetuating system .

But is an IQ result a good predictor of happiness, of

economic success, of success in relationships, of

success in life? Not really. In a modern society, of

course, linguistic and logical-mathematical ability are

very important, but there are six other intelligences. It is

when you marshal all of your intelligences that you really

begin to use your full brain power .

Prepared by

Sherine Mohamed EL Deeb