In Suggestopedia There Is No - "must". There Is - "Do You Want?"

In suggestopedia there is no - "must". Thereis- "do you want?"

Interview of Vita Rama with Maria Dermendjieva - owner, manager and inspirer of the Educational Center "Media"

1. What was the reason one of the largest educational centers in Bulgaria - Educational Center "Media" to include Suggestopedia in itsservices and create Centerofclassical Suggestopedia“Vihrovenia”?

Since Educational Center "Media"was founded more than 12 yearsago, we have always looked for and worked with the best practices of learning through experience. And we were always guided by theidea that learning is joy - to elate,to develop the mind in an inspired environment, to spareemotions and evoke only positive experiences. All these years I've been looking for just that- comprehensive and humane methods that develop personality not only in the mind,but mainly in the heart.
 

Meeting with Vanina Bodurova (the closest person to Prof. Dr. Georgi Lozanov, to whom he bequeathed the development of suggestopedia and all its labor in order the methods to reachto as many people as possible) was completely random in early 2012, but nothing is bychance. I got really impressed by everything Vanina said and the way she spoke about Prof. Dr. Georgi Lozanov and suggestopedia.

A little later, in late January 2012, Vanina Bodurova and several other practitioners sugestopedians already made ​​an impressive presentation of suggestopedia to our team. For most of us it was clear even then that this meeting will change our future in one way or another. Ten months later, on 17 November 2012, with much joy, inspiration and a little tears was born: "Vihrovenia" - Center for Classical Suggestopediaat Education Center "Media" and the FoundationofProf. Dr. Georgi Lozanov and Dr. Evelina Gateva.
 

I am deeply grateful to the late Prof. Dr. Georgi Lozanov for this amazing gift hehas given to Bulgariaandthe world. Because suggestopedia changes anyone it touches. Or rather unfolds, heals, inspires. You should see a pent, despondent and stressed by the teaching process child aftera month in suggestopeadic study-hall and understand what I'm saying. Or one tired person of endless attempts to learn a foreign language, only after five weeks in suggestopedic course ...

2. What is the difference between learning a foreign language by the method of suggestopedia and its 'classical' study ?

The difference is in the approach. I would say that this approach has nothing to do. Therefore the results are impressive. Learning is much more easier, absorbed material is much greater, the person is happy, relaxed and knowledgeable. Suggestopedia is based on few "simple",but fundamental laws derived by Prof. Dr. Georgi Lozanov, who put the teacher, the student and the learning environment in a totally different state. Spirited, holistic, filled with lightness, laughter, fun, game ... These laws may sound abstract - Love, Freedom, repeatedly expanded learning materials,use of classical art, golden section, conviction of the teacher that something extraordinary will happen, Whole and the Parts ( fromthe whole to the part ), but they create an overly powerful and conducive environment. Environment that uncovers our hidden reserves-for learning, perception, creativity and self-expression.

The role of the teacher is the key here. But not so much in "teaching the material", as in creating the conditions for the material to be apprehended in itsfullness and with ease.

Thanks to suggestopedia we learn without realizing that we learn. Presentation of the material is very different, interactive, artistic.We experience learning as co-creators, not on the principle of one-way communication.

The differences are so many... Rather, we can talk about thesimilarities. Perhaps they are only in the fact that we have a teacher, a student and a thirst for knowledge. Although the latter is not necessarily present in the traditional approaches, because learning is often painful experience through which we pass on the principle of " must be done".

In suggestopedia there is no - "must". There is - "do you want?"

3 . What is the effectiveness of learning a foreign language by the method of suggestopedia compared to other methods of language teaching?

Most important, perhaps, is the freedom of communication. When you learn a foreign language by the method of suggestopedia you feel ease and joy. You do not worry, do not force yourself to communicate. You feel good „in your skin ." Of course, the bestside is the much greater amount of material which is absorbed in a short time. A course of five weeks would be equal to an average of 3 levels in the traditional method of teaching. It depends on the individual, of course, but in all cases, the volume is much higher. But not only that. The question is not only in volume. More importantly, the reserves we unlocked in ourselves, allow us much higher quality use of what we have learned and to remember it much longer,with more ease and with great joy and desire to develop it .

4 . Would you please describe how isone lesson in a foreign language conducted by the method of suggestopedia ?

Deliberately we do not tell much about the course itself, because it isimportantthatstudents are surprised, sothat they can fully and without bias to indulge and enjoy the moment. Each course begins with an unusual appearance of the teacher and a story .... with a clearly defined beginning, but with open creative end. Beauty, aesthetics and classical artare present. We learn primarily through creativity and personal experience ... Or in the words of Prof. Dr. Georgi Lozanov: we use our mind, but mostly we learn going through our heart ...

5. What is the relationship between health and Suggestopedia?

Suggestopedia is a science and methodology of training (recognized by UNESCO as a superior methodology), but it is inextricably linked to the development of the full potential of the human beingand the harmonization of personality, mind, and soul. I see the connectionin terms ofideological principles as well as inthe way they work, because atthe foundation of your work and in the suggestopedia stands holistic approach. That we look at a person as a whole. Everything is connected - body, mind, emotions, thoughts ...

6 . Why did you choose HealthCenter Vita Rama for a partner ?

For years, my philosophy of life is primarily focused on "green" - a healthy lifestyle related to caringfor ourselves in body and soul and in harmony with nature. In anatural way the development of the organizations that I manage and the education we offer, followsmy path. All programs you implement in Vita Rama, are in line with my life. After suggestopedia come to us, "Vihrovenia" began to create and live its own life within myself. "Accidentally" the idea that there is nothing more harmonically compatible than to combine suggestopedia - a humane system with a holistic system for healthy body and soul. And then I decided to contact you. To tell you about suggestopedia and how it develops the personality, dueto the search of harmony, balance, inspiration and ease. Thus began our joint history. Another inspiring story with a good start and open for co-creation no-end ...