Abstract:
This research addresses the topic of Multiple Intelligences and its application in the language classroom, with a focus in teaching Italian to foreigners.
Howard Gardner first proposed his theory of Multiple Intelligences in 1983. Gardner's message is that everyone has unique and different abilities and therefore we learn in very different ways. Over the past two decades, this theory has made its way into classrooms around the world and gained the attention of educators who are reporting positive results.
The first chapter of the thesis discusses the crisis of the classical concept of intelligence, which, thanks to the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, has been replaced by a view of intelligence as a multiplicity of forms working in synergy. The second chapter addresses the implications of the theory in its application in school teaching and an alternative form of assessment.This is followed by a focus on Goleman's emotional intelligence and the importance of its development at school, in order to live a better life in today's society. Finally, the last chapter is devoted to analysing and proposing differentiated teaching activities addressed to Italian language learners as L1 and L2. The goal is to teach italian grammar applying activities that involve multiple intelligences.
