A New Type Of Teaching Model: Multiple Intelligences Theory Applied In Junior High School English Instruction

The present study investigates the application of the Multiple Intelligences Theory to English instruction in junior high school. Specifically, the students' interest in learning English, their responses to the MI activities, the learning materials, the thematic teaching, and the classroom interaction are analyzed. In addition, the students' performance and responses to the four language arts are investigated.The subjects in this study included two classes of eighth-grade students in junior high school. The researcher designed the lesson plans based on the students' multiple intelligences inventory and their responses to English classes in junior high school. For the data analyses, the researcher observed the students' language performance in class and collected their responses to English teaching in their learning journals. Besides, the students' responses to the MI model in the questionnaire were collected after the study. Based on the data analyses, both quantitative and qualitative, the findings of the study are described as follows:1. The MI model helped trigger the students' motivation to learn English. Many of the students said that they became more interested in learning English at the end of the study.2. The students liked the MI activities done in the study, such as watching movies, playing games, and learning English on the Internet.3. The students enjoyed the supplemental learning materials utilized in the study, such as the horoscope and the Chinese animal signs, the science fiction, and the information about foreign cultures and customs.4. The students gave positive responses to the thematic teaching conducted in the study. Through the integration of the knowledge, the information and activities in the four selected thematic units in the thematic teaching stimulated the students to learn English joyfully and actively.5. The classroom interaction in this study was generally good. Especially, the interaction among the students was better than that between the teacher and students.6. The students made good progress in their performance in the four language arts. Through various kinds of MI activities, the students were inspired to improve their listening, speaking, reading and writing.Results of the study indicated that students did achieve great progress when the MI theory was implemented. The researcher believes that this study will help EFL teachers get a deep understanding of the effects of the MI model on students' learning, implement their teaching with MI theory as well. Moreover, EFL teachers also can help the students develop their eight multiple intelligences to the full display in the multiple society.