BEYOND THE PLACEBO EFFECT OF SUGGESTOPEDIA (Pages 01-06) by Dr. Udaya Ravi Shastry in THE ENGLISH INDIA / ISSN: 2321-1172 (Online); 2347-2634 (Print)

The Proposed paper intends to introduce the teaching method developed by the Bulgarian psychotherapist Georgi-Lozanov, in the 1970’s which he termed as ‘Suggestopedia’. This novel method is based on the assumption that the grown-up learners develop inhibitions that prevent them from learning by blocking the capabilities they used as children. However, it is possible to reactivate these capabilities through suggestopedia and increase the speed and efficiency of learning (a new language). The paper discusses how the relationship between mental potential and learning efficacy is exploited in this unconventional method of ‘super learning’ in a sequence. Conducting sessions of suggestopedia requires a lot of preparation and special class-room- atmosphere. Suggestopedia employs all the faculties of sense organs with visual, audio, kinesthetic activities in the class room. There has been harsh criticism against Suggestopedia. However, the paper tries to infer that suggestopedia does not merely cast a placebo effect on the learner, but has some psychologically justifiable techniques far more effective than the existing ones that makes teaching easier and more effective.The Proposed paper intends to introduce the teaching method developed by the Bulgarian psychotherapist Georgi-Lozanov, in the 1970’s which he termed as ‘Suggestopedia’. This novel method is based on the assumption that the grown-up learners develop inhibitions that prevent them from learning by blocking the capabilities they used as children. However, it is possible to reactivate these capabilities through suggestopedia and increase the speed and efficiency of learning (a new language). The paper discusses how the relationship between mental potential and learning efficacy is exploited in this unconventional method of ‘super learning’ in a sequence. Conducting sessions of suggestopedia requires a lot of preparation and special class-room- atmosphere. Suggestopedia employs all the faculties of sense organs with visual, audio, kinesthetic activities in the class room. There has been harsh criticism against Suggestopedia. However, the paper tries to infer that suggestopedia does not merely cast a placebo effect on the learner, but has some psychologically justifiable techniques far more effective than the existing ones that makes teaching easier and more effective.Keywords: Suggestopedia, placebo effect, Georgi Lozanov etc.