Abstract
Abstract The purpose of this article is to discuss the Theory of Multiple Intelligences and to answer the question of appropriateness of the MI theory in the field of foreign language teaching. The paper also exemplifies the adaptation of the theory in the context of teaching English as a foreign language and foreign language teaching and learning in general by describing a set of activities and a lesson plan using the MI approach. The article reviews the types of intelligences described and defined by Howard Gardner and authors who followed and revised the theory in terms of language teaching. In addition, the article discusses the different modes of application of the theory of Multiple Intelligences in language teaching with young adults and adult learners of foreign languages. The article proceeds by grouping and listing possible activities and tasks which are appropriate for language learners with different sets of abilities or intelligences. In addition, the article provides a brief summary of the potential issues recommendations and conclusions regarding the implementation of theory of Multiple Intelligences and provides a sample lesson plan which provides activities and language learning tasks for the majority of intelligences defined
Highlights
It is very difficult to define the meaning of the word intelligence and the characteristics of intelligence
Experimental research and pilot studies (Haley, 2004) have shown that the theory of Multiple Intelligence has a potential to create a positive influence on both language learners and language teachers
The results of the research indicated that teachers were influenced by Multiple Intelligence theory approach
Summary
It is very difficult to define the meaning of the word intelligence and the characteristics of intelligence. Lesson plans based on the theory of Multiple Intelligences might combine different language learning tasks and activities which, according to Christison& Kennedy(1999) would not aim to use specific intelligences but to enable the learners to use the best way for them to acquire that knowledge. In terms of teaching English as a foreign language, there is a wide range of activities which might be used in order to cater for the different types of intelligences and applied in EFL/ESL classroom These activities can be grouped as follows: Linguistic Intelligence: reading a story, choosing appropriate word to fill in a gap in a sentence, choosing an appropriate synonym or antonym for a given word, answering multiple questions related to a text. The author intended to describe the activities and indicate which intelligence type is catered for with each activity described
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