MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES - Reflection no.1

The multiple intelligence theory was known to me, because over the course of time I have constantly been trying to figure out why some students thrive more than others in certain subjects while they don’t have very good skills on other fields, and the other way round. And I wanted to know the same for myself, why was I good at solving complex mathematical or logical situations, but I was the worst at playing ANY sports at school, or having difficulties getting around in a new town. While I still don’t know whether I was born this way, or my bringing up contributed on this, I believe in what Gardner claimed about multiple intelligences. That “they can be nurtured and strengthened, or ignored and weakened.”

If I think about it, I never played sports as a child. I was on my own making up stories about my dolls and their adventures and their boyfriends. This explains why I am better at mind stuff and worse at physical activities. The same works for everybody. Maybe the majority of us were born with some basic intelligence, and then it is the childhood or the formative years that shape our intelligence. Later during our whole adult life, we have the choice to further cultivate what we lack or not. For example, I am aware I lack a lot of Interpersonal Intelligence, because I spent most of my years dwelling on and trying to figure out myself, that resulted in good Intrapersonal Intelligence. As for the first one, I am eventually improving, step by step, interaction after interaction, sometimes failing and learning, but always embracing my strengths, because all kinds of intelligences are important and useful in the society.

And this is what leads me to think about the importance of proper teaching methods, to enhance the intelligences students need to cultivate at some point, and enhancing other kinds at others times. Because the education of our generation failed us. We never did music or learned instruments, we never went out on nature as a class to explore and watch dad frogs guard the eggs, we never even studied philosophy or were invited to think about certain values or purposes that we should have in life. And man, this is stuff you should learn at school, because some of us will never have the opportunity to go back to it, because it is crucial to get positive influence from our early years at school, and because all of that information that enhances intelligence and understanding, generates love for things around. Because as long as they have not been exposed to some this kind of information or exercises, they will never give importance to things that matter and will even fail as citizen of the world. This may even be why we are doomed as a society.

Dear colleagues, through teaching English you have so much power in your hands, to give your students’ knowledge about themes much more important than language ITSELF. Grasp and exploit this opportunity that you will be given, by opening different discussions and debates useful for your students’ intellect. Make language a tool, not an objective. Don’t forget that you have a major influence in shaping them as citizens of tomorrow, even though the results may not be very visible at first; and you can only shape them by using the principle of equity – giving everyone what they need so that they improve at their own rates. As much as you may love grammar, don’t expect everyone to ace it, instead, assist them find their hidden talent/intelligence.

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As for multimedia in teaching, I think it is cool and helpful sometime, but try your best to make the class interesting without the use of it. Your future students will have enough technology in their lives already.

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P.S Kudos to all your good posts! I wanted to share some personal reflection instead of rearranging the lecture. I hope I was not too gloomy, but it is KIND OF raining A LOT at the moment.

P.P.S SONG OF THE DAY: PINK FLOYD - ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR5ApYxkU-U