Suggestopedia
A.
Background of Suggestopedia
Suggestopedia
also named superlearning, It is considered to be the strangest of the
humanistic approach and it was developed in the 1970s by Georgi Lozanov, a
Bulgarian Educator. Lozanov assumes that the only major linguistic problems in
the language classroom are memorization of the word and pattern of the language
and their integration into the students’ personalities. Suggestopedia was designed
primarily to make these two processes more effective. Lozanov says that the
learners need a relaxed but focused state as the optimum state for learning.
Suggestopedia makes used of soothing rhythmic music, a comfortable and relaxing
environment, and relationship between the teacher and the student similar to
the parent-child relationship. The students’ feeling has an important place.
They need to feel confident and relaxed and their psychological barriers are “desuggested”.
Music is vital for the approach. There is a positive effect when classical
music is used during effort to memorize, even without suggestion. Before the
concert session the student is told by an authoritative figure that after the
session the material will be memorized. The students notice that their
memorization has improved, so they accept the statement of authority.
The
suggestopedic session which is based on the memorizing of a text is
accomplished though ritualistic concert session: an active session and a
passive session. The teacher’s attitude and behavior in the classroom is one of
the key elements which ensure the success of suggestopedic session. He or she
has to establish good human relations in the class so that students would help
and praise one another. “The teacher in a suggestopedic course not only
radiates effective suggestive stimuli, but also coordinates environmental
suggestive stimuli in a positive way for students to learn. One of
Suggestopedia’s unique goals is release learners’ mind from existing framework
of the social suggestive norms.
B.
Characteristic
1.
Suggestopedic course is conducted in a classroom in which students
as comfortable as possible.
2.
Students select target language names and choose new occupation.
3.
The text students work from are handout containing lengthy dialogs
in target language. Next to the dialog is a translation in the students’ native
language. There are also some notes on the vocabulary and grammar in the
dialog.
4.
The teacher presents the dialog during two concerts.
5.
Vocabulary and speaking communicatively are emphasized.
6.
Native language is used the meaning of the dialog clear. The
teacher also uses the mother tongue in class when necessary.
7.
Evaluation usually is conducted on students’ normal in class
performance and not through formal tests.
C.
Activities
1.
Presentation
2.
Concert: First concert and second concert
3.
Listening
4.
Imitation
5.
Question and answer
6.
Role playing
7.
Translating
D.
Strength and Weaknesses
The strength of suggestopedia:
a.
The students will not feel bored because it is different with usual
class.
b.
It is faster or easy to get the students understand because they
have been adult learners.
c.
The students not only get the material but also suggestions from
the teacher.
d.
This method suggests using full mental powers.
e.
The teacher can use native language if the students didn’t
understand.
The weaknesses of suggestopedia
a.
It can be the students don’t have concentration because of the
music.
b.
There are too many techniques that must be tough in two hours.
c.
Although it is for beginners, but it cannot be implemented with
children.
d.
Homework that is suggested in this method possible to unsuccessful.
e.
The formal evaluation is not explained clearly.
