Multiple intelligences refer to the multiple abilities of individual learners that they use to learn and process information. Every individual is different in terms of their intelligence, and they may possess diverse abilities. In the classroom, thus, there are learners from various backgrounds who learn differently using their multiple abilities. According to Howard Gardner, there are seven types of learning styles. This theory has some major implications for language teaching.
First, language teachers have to realize that individual learners - will learn the language using their own learning style. Therefore there has to be a combination of classroom activities to address each leamer’s style. The following are the ways in which teachers can plan activities for a language classroom.
Visual-spatial:
There are learners who may be visually better than others. These learners will do better in a language class if they are presented with visual materials, such as images, videos, and so forth.
Body-Kinaesthetic:
These types of learners will make meaning by doing something. For example, they like group works or role plays.
Musical:
Some learners learn through rhythms. Therefore, teachers have to introduce songs, music, and audio to the class. .
Interpersonal:
Teachers have to plan for group works and , questioning so that these learners feel comfortable.
Intrapersonal:
Teachers also have to give them opportunities to read and reflect on their own learning.
Linguistic:
There has to be activities, such as presentation, debates and so on so that these learners can use the language
Logical-mathematical:
Finally some activities should include argumentation and debates to address this learning style.
Second, a major implication of the theory of multiple intelligences is that it points at the limitations of the traditional approach to learning and assessment. The traditional ways of teaching and assessment use the same techniques to teach and assess students. Therefore, some learners do not do well in the examination. Thus, the traditional perspective to education considers these Students as bad students. The theory helps us understand that every individual is equally competent; they just learn in different ways. Educators need to understand this and plan their teaching and assessment in a way so that everyone does well in the examination.
Finally, in a context like Bangladesh, the theory might be helpful to motivate learners who do not use the language in authentic Situations. If their learning styles are addressed in the classroom, they will be able to relate to learning. This will make them more motivated to learn English even though they do not have any real Opportunities to use it. .
If the above implications are considered, language teaching may become easy and fun. Teachers and students both can be benefited from the theory. However, we also need to consider the time constraints because following the theory could be very difficult in , low-resource contexts like Bangladesh. Planning activities addressing all kinds of intelligences could be demanding. Therefore, there has to be coordination among teachers, employers and students to utilize the theory in language teaching contexts,
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