What is Suggestopaedia ?

Professor Dr. Georgi Lozanov, a research psychologist and medical doctor at the University of Sofia Bulgaria, developed this model of teaching already in the sixties.

This holistic approach of teaching is applied more and more and is also well known as Superlearning.
People have to deal with a lot of suggestive information. They save them consciously or unconsciously as verbal or non-verbal messages in their brain. This suggestopedic teaching and learning method is based on the facts that both the conscious and unconscious are very important for the retention of memory. It is also based on the fact that participants who are in an attentive relaxed state are empowered to learn more effectively without getting tired.

Positive suggestions which accelerate learning and develop potentials are for example a relaxed, positive learning atmosphere which is created by the change of tension and relaxation, active and passive phases, journeys of fantasy, games, movement and simulation of possible real situations. As music creates emotional engagement and memory retention, it is a very valuable tool. E.g. it makes the learners feel comfortable, it helps to overcome any inhibitions and it increases motivation and reception. The different parts of our brain are specialized to receive and to manage information as e.g. verbal, non-verbal, rational/emotional messages or as a word or picture. In suggestopedic teaching individual learning styles are considered. All channels of learning are respected: the sense of looking and seeing, hearing, feeling, smell and taste.
Teaching is interaction, working in groups and supporting each other.

By the holistic activation and coordination of the left and the right part of the brain, thus increasing the retention of memory, the method of suggestopaedia shows new ways and open doors in holistic teaching.

It was mainly used as an approach to teaching foreign languages, however it has been applied to teach all disciplines (Superlearning). Scientific findings made show a considerably increased efficiency of learning. According to Prof. Dr. Ludger Schiffer (FU Berlin): „The increase of the saving capacity of the long term memory“ and according to Prof. Dr. Ruppr. S. Baur (University Essen) „A great part of learners reach the target only after a two week intensive course and not after 1 year of training as it was planned.

Therefore, the suggestopedic method of learning is especially effective for trainings in both professional and daily life.