Publication Date

1981

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

First Advisor

Michael Jerald

Second Advisor

Stephen G. Hanchey

Abstract

This paper discusses certain characteristics of human mental functioning - an understanding of which sheds light on the mechanism of suggestopedia. These characteristics are: (1) the electrical impulses produced by the brain, and in particular, the alpha brainwaves, which are characteristic of a calm state of mind which is believed to be optimum for accelarated learning, (2) the division of left and right brain hemisphere functioning and perception - with the right ( intuitive) functions being a focus as the receiver of suggestion (subminal stimuli from the environment; the moving force in suggestopedia), and (3) the conscious vs. the paraconscious functions of the brain which tie the first two characteristics together. Studies indicate that paraconscious processes, although not fully understood, include powers or abilities not previously recognized, which can be channeled or harnessed for accelerated learning.

This paper then briefly discusses the principles of suggestopedia, and the gives examples of classroom application of suggestopedic techniques.

Disciplines

Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | First and Second Language Acquisition | Psycholinguistics and Neurolinguistics

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