Getting To Know Suggestopedia - A Learning Method

affiedalfayed (57)in #steemiteducation • 7 years ago

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In the process of learning and teaching, there are various methods that teachers can apply to teach their students. Selection of learning methods to be used should be tailored to the characteristics of the subject of learning, student characteristics, learning objectives, and availability of supporting media. Besides, the teacher must also have the teaching competence and literacy skills that can help him or herin choosing an effective method to apply to the lesson being taught.

Teacher beliefs also often determine the method chosen by the teacher. For example, if a teacher believes that the process of language learning will be effective if the student is directly involved in the target language, then the teacher will tend to use the Communicative Method to his students. What needs to be underlined in determining a method used is that there is no best method among all the learning methods, only the best teachers can choose effective methods according to the needs of their students.

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Among the various teaching methods, one of them is Suggestopedia. This method was first introduced by George Lozanov in 1976, he is an educator as well as a psychotherapist. Basically, this method is very effective to use in language classes, although it can also be applied to other classes with adjustments. The suggestopedia method aims to reduce the negative feelings of students who are afraid to fail while learning. This method focuses students with positive and optimistic feelings through suggestions from teachers towards student success.

Classes that use the suggestopedia method will look much different from the other classes. In this class the decoration has an important role, so the class will be decorated as beautiful and as comfortable as possible. Various furniture should also be placed in the classroom to add to the beauty and comfort of the classroom like using a sofa as a place for students to sit.

In addition, lighting in the classroom is also a consideration for use in a certain way. Usually, the suggestopedia class uses dim lights. Also, teachers also use classical music in this class to make students feel more relaxed while studying.

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Furthermore, I will briefly describe an example of a class using the following suggestopedia method:

To apply this method, a class should be more beautiful decorations. Posters that are relevant to the teaching materials are stuck on the classroom wall astetically. Seats are placed in a circle in the classroom, even the sofa can be used as a student seat so that students feel more comfortable while learning.
Lighting in the classroom should not be too bright. It is suggested to be slightly dim so that students can feel relaxed with the classroom atmosphere.
At the beginning of the lesson the teacher greets the students by using the first language. It aims to make students easily understand what the teacher is saying, as well as to reduce the pressure on students to start the lesson by convincing them that the learning process will take place naturally.
After that, the teacher plays the music then directs the students to relax with their breathing and listen to the teacher's directions. When giving directions the teacher must adjust the intonation of his voice in tune with the music.
Students are directed to imagine when the music is playing, then they slowly open their eyes and observe while imagining the poster on the board according to the material being taught. Teachers can also use role playing techniques or other techniques in this stage

In conclusion, teachers should have a selective skill to choose efctive learning methods that will be applied in the classroom that match the characteristics of students, teaching materials, and also the learning objectives to be achieved. One of the learning methods that can be applied is the suggestopedia, especially in the second language learning. The use of this method focuses on a method of suggestion where students are less afraid to fail and are motivated to succeed and be optimistic in their learning.