Málfríður - 15.03.2006, Blaðsíða 11

MÁLFRÍÐUR 11
b) creating associations with different kinds of
music, colours, feelings, nature scenery, ...
c) imaginary travelling or ´guided fantasies´ – at
the ZOO, at the seaside, in a cave, in a balloon,
in a rainforest, ...
The teacher invariably speaks slowly, quietly and
peacefully. The last minute is a transition from a
relaxed mind to an active mind. The teacher gradu­
ally returns to a normal voice and before pupils
open their eyes they respond to a few commands
/ turn your head left and then right, put up your
shoulders, rub your palms, put your palms on your
eyes, take a deep breath, open your eyes .../. The
duration of preparatory exercises is 4 – 6 minutes.
They can be situated at the beginning of the lesson
to tune over from the previous lesson, in the middle
of the lesson for a change and a rest or at the end of
the lesson for recovery and good mood.
Relaxed Mind Teaching and Learning
It makes use of 6 – 10 minute units at the end of
appropriate lessons for the revision of subject mat­
ter, vocabulary of some topic, situational phrases
or simply for better remembering. The introduc­
tion within such a unit should be one of prepara­
tory exercises which serve as a conditional reflex
evoking a relaxed state of mind of the students.
Communication for feedback is based on agreed
signals /slowly nod your head if you understand,
if your ´answer´ was right/. Students are asked
to repeat some words, phrases, sentences in their
mind. In the same way they answer questions, fin­
ish unfinished sentences / see them in their inner
vision/ in the silent period they are given for this.
All this is done in a slow, peaceful and comfortable
way. The transition to active mind at the end is
also very important. The teacher gradually speaks
in a normal voice and after they open their eyes,
students are asked to stretch their arms, neck, back,
stand up and even dance /pop music can be an
inspiration/. Final eliciting of vocabulary, phrases
or simple revision of the most important facts or
ideas contribute to fixing the desired parts of subject
matter. Besides it brings a sort of fulfilment in every­
body and builds the ability to engage and share.
Guided fantasies and how to use them
We have created a collection of 10 guided fanta­
sies /colourful pictures and two little texts on the
same topic with vocabulary/ for better mastering
of Relaxed Mind Teaching and Learning. Students
see the picture first and name the things – vocabu­
lary they already know. Then the new vocabulary is
introduced and practised. After that they are asked
to sit in the relaxed position with closed eyes, listen
to the text read by the teacher slowly in a quiet voice.