Multiple Intelligences Strategies for ESL and EFL Teaching
Multiple Intelligences in the ESL/EFL Classroom
Multiple Intelligences in the ESL/EFL Classroom
Verbal / Linguistic — Explanation and understanding through words
Explanation and understanding through the use of words.
- Most common means of teaching.
- The teacher teaches and the students learn.
- This can also be reversed, and students can help each other understand concepts.
- It focuses on using language.
- Primary role in learning English.
Example Lesson Plans
- (re)Introducing Phrasal Verbs to ESL Students
- Comparative and Superlative Forms
- Countable and Uncountable Nouns – Noun Quantifiers
- Reading – Using Context
Visual / Spatial — Explanation through pictures and maps
Explanation and comprehension through the use of pictures, graphs, maps, etc.
- It gives students visual clues to help them remember language.
- The use of visual, spatial and situational clues is one of the most effective ways to learn English.
Example Lesson Plans
- Business Lesson Describing Trends
- Using Colored Pens
- Drawing in the Classroom – Expressions
- Finish the Alphabet – Adjective Recognition
- Vocabulary Charts
Body / Kinesthetic — Using the body to express ideas
Ability to use the body to express ideas, accomplish tasks, create moods, etc.
- Physical actions combined with linguistic responses.
- Helpful for tying language to actions; e.g., repeating “I’d like to pay by credit card” in a dialogue is much less effective than having a student act out a role-play in which they pull out their wallet and say, “I’d like to pay by credit card.”
Example Lesson Plans
- Lego Building Blocks
- Young Learner’s Games for ESL Classes – Simon Says, Telephone, English
Interpersonal — Working and getting along with others
Ability to get along with others and work with others to accomplish tasks.
- Group learning is based on interpersonal skills.
- Speaking in an “authentic” setting.
- Group work needs to be balanced with other activities because not all learners have excellent interpersonal skills.
Example Lesson Plans
- Conversation Lesson: Multinationals – Help or Obstacle?
- Creating a New Society
- Guilty – Fun Classroom Conversation Game
- Let’s Do Tourism
Logical / Mathematical — Using logic and models
Use of logic and mathematical models to represent and work with ideas.
- Grammar analysis.
- Many teachers feel that English teaching syllabi have little to do with communicative ability.
- There is room for grammar analysis in the classroom.
- Unfortunately, this type of teaching sometimes tends to dominate the classroom.
Example Lesson Plans
- Match-up! English Grammar Review
- Different Uses of “Like”
- Conditional Statements – Reviewing the First and Second Conditional
Musical — Recognizing melody, rhythm, and harmony
Ability to recognize and communicate using melody, rhythm, and harmony.
- Sometimes underestimated.
- English is a very rhythmic language, so music plays a role in the classroom as well.
Example Lesson Plans
- Grammar Chants
- Music in the Classroom
- Practicing Stress and Intonation
- Tongue Twisters
Intrapersonal — Learning through self-knowledge
Learning through self-knowledge leading to understanding of motives, goals, strengths and weaknesses.
- Essential for long-term English learning.
- Students who are aware of these issues can improve or, conversely, impede English usage.
Example Lesson Plans
- Setting ESL Objectives
- English Learning Goals Quiz
Environmental — Learning from the natural world
Ability to recognize elements of and learn from the natural world around us.
- Similar to visual and spatial skills.
- It can help students master English required to interact with their environment.
Example Lesson Plan
- Global English, Verbal