THE APPLICATION OF MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE THEORY

IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING AND TEACHING

Ammukutty P.Gop.

ABSTRACT
This article aims to present the effect of Multiple Intelligence
Theory proposed by Howard Gardiner in English language learning and
teaching. Most importantly the language learners would benefit from this
theory because they can learn according to their preferences and strengths
and in addition to this they can also improve their least developed areas.
According to the classifications put forward by Gardiner, there are nine
different types of intelligences that are considered important. Each of the
intelligences have a certain impact on the specific kills in language learning

Key Terms: motivation, multiple intelligence theory, learning styles

INTRODUCTION
Human intellectual development varies from person to person. The theory
of multiple intelligence put forward by Howard Gardiner states that there are nine
areas of human intellectual development which may be present in individuals. This
includes verbal-linguistic intelligence which uses language to store, process and
transmit information.logical - mathematical intelligence uses patterns to think and
reason rationally and logically. Musical intelligence uses music and rhythm to
learn. Bodily -kinesthetic intelligence uses the body to learn, spatial intelligence is
concerned with visual sources such as pictures, charts etc. interpersonal
intelligence deals with the ability to interact with others, intrapersonal intelligence
deals with the ability to understand one’s own strength, weakness and emotions.
Naturalistic intelligence uses patterns to connect to nature. Existentialist
intelligence uses values and intuition to understand others and the world around
him.
The Application of various intelligences in language learning
Since we are living in a society where people possesses different skills
and abilities, by the application of this theory it can serve all kinds of students by
manifesting their specific strength. By way of verbal- linguistic intelligence, the
teacher explain things through the use of words and the students can learn through
explaining or sharing to each other. Learners in this category are most likely to do
reading, writing, etc. Through logical- mathematical method one can learn English
through logically deducing the rules of grammar and apply them. Word order
activities can be primarily given to such categories. Musical intelligence suggests
learning English through music and songs. Students who have interest in pop
music may use this kind of intelligence to acquire English language skills and in
rhythmic learning.
While approaching bodily- kinesthetic intelligence, we can consider
typing as a best tool for kinesthetic learning. Many of the learners can improve
their spelling mistakes by way of typing out. The visual and spatial learner learns
mainly through the use of eye. Materials such as graphs, diagrams, drawing a
response, videos, slideshows, flash cards, scaffolding charts etc. may be helpful for
those learners. They are highly strong in the visual memory. Interpersonal
intelligence consist of interaction with others including activities such as peer
teaching, group brainstorming, paired activities etc.
The learner can make distinctions in the motivations, intentions, and
feelings of others. Intrapersonal intelligence proposes to have an accurate picture
of oneself, intentions and motivations. Naturalistic intelligence focuses on the
human ability to discriminate between living things and non- living things. This
cannot be achieved extensively in classrooms. But certain tasks that arouse
sensitivity towards nature can be assigned in the classrooms. In existentialist
intelligence the teachers should try to develop a connection between what is being
learnt in the classroom and the world outside the classroom.
The learning capacity of each student is different from one other.
Therefore it is better to have a different approach to learning in the classroom
atmosphere. Different types of intelligences can be drawn from language learning
tasks. For example, an activity that insist the learners to write down the lyrics of a
song manifest the application of linguistic and musical intelligence. While in the
presentation of a role play the learner need to express his emotions. Along with
that he need to be conscious of the feelings of others. In this context interpersonal
and intrapersonal intelligence are needed. There are certain context in which most
of the learners can make effective use of the visual teaching aids for their better
transfer of knowledge. This can be made possible by means of materials such as
charts, pictures, drawings, slide shows, videos etc. By doing so the learners can
retrieve data much faster than any other method they could prefer.
Language learning can be better achieved through good exposure to
communication. This communicative competence involves the interpersonal
intelligence to transfer ideas with others, establishing an understanding with
other’s opinions etc. When learners having different strengths and cognitive
thinking meet together, then the class turns to be inclusive for all. Cooperative
learning methods makes English language teaching classes more effective even if it
depends upon the students and the situation. The varieties of intelligences may be
varied among individuals and doesn’t shows uniformity in everyone. In some
people it may be working in a high level. They can explore in most of the areas of
intelligences. But certain people lack the capacity to coordinate all these
intelligences within a single frame. In such a context if a teacher who is teaching a
specific grammar portion in a classroom, it should be in a manner that suits to
visual-spatial, verbal-linguistic, musical-rhythmical intelligence learners.
By meeting the students’ needs cognitively and linguistically it gives a
positive teaching environment for the teachers as well as contribute to a profound
learning experience for the students. Here learners with varied intelligence level
can get into the content by using their own specified zone of intelligence and
thereby adapt to the classroom environment in a positive way. This holistic view of
teaching thus caters to the needs and abilities of diverse learners. This method
teaches the learner to comprehend meaning through a number of ways that are
suitable to the individual learners. Thus within the framework of this theory it
gives the students chances to comprehend information in their own suitable
method.
When learning becomes an enjoyable experience for the learners they
get fully involved in their studies. Using the multiple intelligence theory the
teachers can create an encouraging atmosphere in the classroom. In this context the
teacher have a crucial role to perform. The teacher need to shift her way of
presentation to yet another one make sure that it would cater to all kinds of
learners. Here it gives a chance for the teacher to reflect upon his/her own teaching
style. It can be sometimes understood from the nature of response from the
students or otherwise by conducting a multiple intelligence test that which kind of
intelligence is predominant in the classroom.

CONCLUSION
By the application of this theory it proposes to have beneficial
implications in education especially in language learning and teaching .The
successful implementation of activities and tasks in a language related context
relating to the different intelligence of learners can motivate them. This can be
effective for their learning which further promotes deep learning. It helps the
learner to develop his/her existing skills and intelligence. Thus it accommodate the
need of the student in the learning of English language based on their preferred
intelligence. In this context the language teacher turns to be a facilitator and
organizer who is able to organize and plan activities by analyzing the strengths and
talents of his/her students. Thus it seems to be interesting for the learners and
mould them as active learners of the future. A productive learning environment can
be created using this method of multiple intelligences.

REFERENCES
http://academia.edu. The theory -of multiple -intelligence in EFL- classrooms.
http://Eprints.umk.ac.id.pdf
http://Skemman.is/ bit stream/ adal .pdf.
http://C users/ Administrator/ Downloads /ohiou.pdf
http://moroccoenglish.com /multiple-intelligence-in-language-learning-and-
teaching /