Revolutionising language learning with the theory of multiple intelligences (Gardner)
Learning a new language is an exciting adventure for all Tandem IMS students. Teaching French to young learners becomes an engaging and multifaceted adventure thanks to our language learning methodology. As a French teacher, I am delighted to share how this exciting theory enhances my daily French lessons.
Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences proposes that individuals possess different types of intelligence and each has one or more intelligences where they are stronger than others. This theory is transformative in education because it recognises that children learn in different ways. Key intelligences include verbal-linguistic intelligence, logical-mathematical intelligence, visual-spatial intelligence, musical intelligence, bodily-kinaesthetic intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence, and naturalist intelligence.
You can respond effectively to each child's unique learning style by integrating Gardner's multiple intelligences. Here are some approaches on how you can implement this:
1. Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence
For verbal-linguistic intelligence, use captivating stories and dialogues, encouraging children to tell these stories or write their versions, for example in French.
2. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
To support logical-mathematical intelligence, use structured grammar and vocabulary exercises to create logic puzzles, sudoku games with pictures and activities that help children identify grammatical patterns and solve language problems.
3. Visual-Spatial Intelligence
For visual-spatial intelligence, use visual aids and illustrations to teach new words, and ask children to create mind maps or draw scenes from stories to visualise their learning.
4. Musical intelligence
Musical intelligence can be developed by incorporating songs and poems into lessons, encouraging children to sing, create rhymes or perform musical sketches using the new vocabulary.
5. Bodily-Kinaesthetic Intelligence
For bodily-kinaesthetic intelligence, use interactive activities and games to engage children physically through Total Physical Response (TPR), role play and movement-based learning.
6. Interpersonal Intelligence
Interpersonal intelligence can be developed by organising group work and collaborative projects using dialogue and role-play, encouraging teamwork and communication in e.g. French.
7. Intrapersonal Intelligence
To support intrapersonal intelligence, encourage children to keep a reflective journal in French, reflecting on their learning after each unit for example. At Tandem IMS, each pupil has their own reflective portfolio for each subject.
8. Naturalistic Intelligence
Finally, for naturalistic intelligence, connect lessons to nature by exploring themes related to the environment, such as taking nature walks to describe plants and animals in French or creating nature-themed projects when covering relevant topics in the series. Every time we do a «Nature Day» I talk to the children in French and we name the plants and animals we see.
The combination of teaching with Gardner's multiple intelligences changes the children's language learning experience, as I observe daily while teaching French. This approach recognises that every child learns differently and ensures that everyone finds joy and success in their language journey. This approach makes language learning more inclusive and enriches the educational experience by recognising and building on the diverse strengths of young learners. Incorporate these methods at home too and watch your children thrive in their language learning!