Hauptseminar Imagery Relaxation Concentration

This course is about relaxation, visualization and imagery in the foreign language classroom. At a first glance, the topic does not seem directly related to foreign language learning nor does it sound academic. But at the second glance we will see that there is so much in that topic and in a holistic method that it seems to be worth explorative applications in language teaching. In oirder to be successful we have to take account of the learner as an individual and as a member of a particular social group. Therefore it must be a major goal to foster the power and potential of imagination in each learner in order to make him/her create what they want in their life. Relaxation, visualization and imagery are based on a -holistic- concept of learning. -Holistic- implies that every part and every action must be motivated by and understood in relation to all the other parts and actions, senses and the human physical and psychological preconditions in an integrative way. Foreign language learning should not be regarded as a process that takes place from the neck up and is executed in the left hemisphere only. Rather it has to be seen in a holistic way including both hemispheres, that is, including the learners' feelings, emotions and motivation and furthermore including all his senses, his heart and his whole body. Howard Gardners approach to intelligence as a model of multiple intelligence as well as Daniel Golemans theory on emotional intelligence clearly show us that there is high potential in learning and creativity if we do not only concentrate on the mere cognitive part of learning but also take account of the accompanying affective and emotional status. We have to be aware of the fact that the learning process is highly influenced by factors, such as concentration, anxiety, level of self-concept and self esteem, social climate and institutional factors. Relaxation, visualization and imagery techniques allow us to make use of a learning potential that has yet not only been largely untouched but furthermore just ignored. Once learners perceive their learning culture as a room where they can experience tranquillity, relaxation and safety they will develop a more stable inner personality which then allows them to step further ahead in their language learning career. FB 02 Institut für Anglistik / Amerikanistik Uni Kassel SS 2009 Anglistik/Englisch Wirtschaftspädagogik Prof. Dr. Finkbeiner Claudia