Multiple Intelligences

The theory of multiple intelligences was

developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner,
professor of education at Harvard University.
It suggests that the traditional notion of
intelligence, based on I.Q. testing, is far too
limited. Instead, Dr. Gardner proposes eight
different intelligences to account for a broader
range of human potential in children and
adults.

1-Linguistic Intelligence : word smart

2-Logical-mathematical intelligence: number
smart
3-Spatial intelligence : picture smart
4- Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence : body smart
5-Musical intelligence : music smart
6-Interpersonal intelligence : people smart
7-Intrapersonal intelligence : self smart
8--Naturalist intelligence : nature smart

Dr. Gardner says that our schools and culture focus

most of their attention on linguistic and logicalmathematical intelligence. We esteem the highly
articulate or logical people of our culture. However, Dr.
Gardner says that we should also place equal attention
on individuals who show gifts in the other intelligences:
the artists, architects, musicians, naturalists, designers,
dancers, therapists, entrepreneurs, and others who
enrich the world in which we live. The theory of multiple
intelligences proposes a major transformation in the way
our schools are run. It suggests that teachers be trained
to present their lessons in a wide variety of ways using
music, cooperative learning, art activities, role play,
multimedia, field trips, inner reflection, and much more .

F:\Accelerated Learning for Adults.mht

Here are the eight intelligences :

Linguistic Intelligence
The ability to read , write and communicate with words.
Authors, journalists, poets, orators and comedians are
obvious examples of people with linguistic intelligence.
Famous examples: Charles Dickens, Abraham Lincoln,
T.S. Eliot, Sir Winston Churchill .

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
The ability to reason and calculate, to think things through
in a logical, systematic manner. These are the kinds of
skills highly developed in engineers, scientists,
economists, accountants, detectives and members of the
legal profession .
Famous examples: Albert Einstein, John Dewey .

Visual-Spatial Intelligence
The ability to think in pictures, visualize a future result. To
imagine things in your mind's eye. Architects, sculptors,
sailors, photographers and strategic planners. You use it
when you have a sense of direction,when you navigate
or draw .
Famous examples: Picasso, Frank Lloyd Wright .

Musical Intelligence
The ability to make or compose music, to sing well, or
understand and appreciate music , to keep rhythm. It's a
talent obviously enjoyed by musicians, composers, and
recording engineers. But most of us have a musical
intelligence which can be developed. Think of how
helpful it is to learn with a jingle or rhyme .
Famous examples: Mozart, Leonard Bernstein, Ray
Charles .

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
The ability to use your body skillfully to solve problems,
create products or present ideas and emotions. An ability
obviously displayed for athletic pursuits, dancing, acting,
artistically, or in building and construction. You can
include surgeons in this category but many people who
are physically talented"good with their hands"don't
recognize that this form of intelligence is of equal value to
the other intelligences .
Famous examples: Charlie Chaplin, Michael Jordan

Interpersonal (Social) Intelligence

The ability to work effectively with others, to relate to other
people, and display empathy and understanding, to
notice their motivations and goals. This is a vital human
intelligence displayed by good teachers, facilitators,
therapists, politicians, religious leaders and sales people.
Famous examples: Gandhi, Ronald Reagan, Mother
Teresa, Oprah Winfrey.

Intrapersonal Intelligence
The ability for self-analysis and reflectionto be able to
quietly contemplate and assess one's accomplishments,
to review one's behavior and innermost feelings, to make
plans and set goals, the capacity to know oneself.
Philosophers, counselors, and many peak performers in
all fields of endeavor have this form of intelligence .
Famous examples: Freud, Eleanor Roosevelt, Plato .
In 1996, Gardner decided to add an eighth intelligence
(Naturalist) and in spite of much speculation resisted the
temptation to add a ninthSpiritualist Intelligence .

Naturalist Intelligence
The ability to recognize flora and fauna, to make other
consequential distinctions in the natural world and to use
this ability productivelyfor example in hunting, farming,
or biological science. Farmers, botanists,
conservationists, biologists, environmentalists would all
display aspects of the intelligence .
Famous examples: Charles Darwin, E.O. Wilson

Multiple intelligences in the ESL

Classroom
Here is a discussion of the eight different
intelligences Dr. Gardner proposes and their
relationship to the ESL / EFL classroom. Each
explanation is followed by lesson plans or exercises
which can be used in class.

Verbal / Linguistic

Explanation and understanding through the use of

words.
This is the most common means of teaching. In the most
traditional sense, the teacher teaches and the students
learn. However, this can also be turned around and
students can help each other understand concepts.
While teaching to other types of intelligences is
extremely important, this type of teaching focuses on
using language and will continue to play the primary role
in learning English.
Example Lesson Plans
Comparative and Superlative Forms
Reading - Using Context

Visual / Spatial

Explanation and comprehension through the use

of pictures, graphs, maps, etc.
This type of learning gives students visual clues to
help them remember language. In my opinion,
the use of visual, spatial and situational clues is
probably the reason learning a language in an
English speaking country (Canada, USA,
England, etc.) is the most effective way to learn
English.
Example Lesson Plans
Vocabulary Charts

Body / Kinesthetic
Ability to use the body to express ideas, accomplish tasks,
create moods, etc.
This type of learning combines physical actions with
linguistic responses and are very helpful for tying
language to actions. In other words, 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 he
pulls out his wallet and says, "I'd like to pay by credit
card."
Example Lesson Plans
Lego Building Blocks
Young Learner's Games for ESL Classes - Simon Says

Logical / Mathematical

Use of logic and mathematical models to represent and

work with ideas.
Grammar analysis falls into this type of learning style. Many
teachers feel that English teaching syllabi are too loaded
towards grammar analysis which has little to do with
communicative ability. Nonetheless, using a balanced
approach, grammar analysis has it's place in the
classroom. Unfortunately, because of certain
standardized teaching practices, this type of teaching
sometimes tends to dominate the classroom.
Example Lesson Plans
English Grammar Review

Musical
Ability to recognize and communicate using melody,
rhythm, and harmony.
This type of learning is sometimes underestimated in ESL
classrooms. If you keep in mind that English is a very
rhythmic language because of its tendency to accent
only certain words, you'll recognize that music plays a
role in the classroom as well.
Example Lesson Plans
Grammar Chants
Music in the Classroom
Practicing Stress and Intonation
Tongue Twisters

Interpersonal
Ability to get along with others, work with others to
accomplish tasks.
Group learning is based on interpersonal skills.
Not only do students learn while speaking to
others in an "authentic" setting, they develop
English speaking skills while reacting to others.
Obviously, not all learners have excellent
interpersonal skills. For this reason, group work
needs to balanced with other activities.
Example Lesson Plans
Let's Do Tourism

Intrapersonal
Learning through self-knowledge leading to understanding
of motives, goals, strengths and weaknesses.
This intelligence is essential for long-term English learning.
Students who are aware of these types of issues will be
able to deal with underlying issues that can improve or
hamper English usage.
Example Lesson Plans
Setting ESL Objectives

Environmental
Ability to recognize elements of and learn from the natural
world around us.
Similar to visual and spatial skills, Environmental
intelligence will help students master English required to
interact with their environment.
Example lesson plan
Field trips

Traditionally, academic subjects have been taught in

ways that largely involve two intelligenceslinguistic and
logical-mathematical. Now consider what an IQ test
basically measuresability with words and numbers. So
students who are naturally strong in linguistic and
mathematical intelligences do well on the standard
Stanford-Binet IQ test. Therefore, it's a fairly good
predictor of success at school because the way we teach
(lectures) and the material with which we deal (logically
constructed books) depend heavily on these two
intelligences. Since teachers are drawn from people who
do well at school, it's a self-perpetuating system .

But is an IQ result a good predictor of happiness, of

economic success, of success in relationships, of
success in life? Not really. In a modern society, of
course, linguistic and logical-mathematical ability are
very important, but there are six other intelligences. It is
when you marshal all of your intelligences that you really
begin to use your full brain power .
Prepared by
Sherine Mohamed EL Deeb