Investigation Into the Multiple Intelligences of the English Major Postgraduates in a Normal University

Abstract

Multiple Intelligences Theory (Gardner, 1983) mainly involves seven kinds of intelligence, which are linguistic intelligence, logical mathematical intelligence, special intelligence, bodily/kinesthetic intelligence, musical intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence. All the various types of intelligence are respectively independent but interconnected. Various intelligence and intellectual combination result in individuals’ various abilities and ways to think about the problems and to solve the problems. This study is carried out to investigate the overall condition of multiple intelligences of the English major postgraduates in normal university, to find out on which types of intelligences English major postgraduates perform better. A multiple intelligences questionnaire has been administered in order to elicit 133 English major postgraduates’ responses. According to the results, English major postgraduates in normal university perform negatively on multiple intelligences, especially musical intelligence and linguistic intelligence. While among the seven types of intelligences, participants perform best on intrapersonal intelligence. Such result can not only provide inspirations for English postgraduate education, but also deserves both teachers’ and postgraduates’ reflection in the aspect of their teaching or learning styles, the design of teaching activities, course arrangement, etc. as well.