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Suggestopedia, Sophrology and the Traditional Foreign Language Class
Author(s) -
Bancroft W. Jane
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
foreign language annals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.258
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1944-9720
pISSN - 0015-718X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1944-9720.1982.tb00965.x
Subject(s) - vocabulary , grammar , memorization , foreign language , psychology , class (philosophy) , linguistics , mathematics education , atmosphere (unit) , pronunciation , assimilation (phonology) , pedagogy , computer science , philosophy , physics , artificial intelligence , thermodynamics
In French classes for beginners conducted at Scarborough College, University of Toronto, in 1979 and 1980, essential elements of Suggestopedia and Sophrology were utilized; in particular, the soothing teacher's voice and the relaxation session for unconscious assimilation of the lesson material. Those students who achieved the best results in both written and oral work were those who: (1) relaxed the best (which improved memorization of vocabulary and lesson texts); and (2) had good training in English grammar (which meant they could do well in the required grammatical exercises on written tests and examinations). In the author's opinion, suggestopedic/sophrological techniques definitely improve the class atmosphere and student motivation even when these techniques are limited to (or by) the traditional foreign language classroom.