Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences

The following section includes a description of the different types of intelligences included in Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory; further, this segment will address research studies on the effects of MI on education and how it can be applied to the area of EFL teaching.

Howard Gardner developed the concept of MI in 1983, in his book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple intelligences, Gardner describes the existence of different types of human intelligence (Gardner, 1993). Armstrong (2009) examines Gardner’s theory of MI and describes eight types of intelligence which are described below:

The first one is Linguistic Intelligence: This type of intelligence involves speaking, reading and writing. Linguistic intelligence ‘‘includes

For Armstrong (2009) this type of intelligence involves sensitivity to music, sounds and rhythm. Musical intelligence refers to the capacity to distinguish, comprehend and manipulate musical patterns (p.7). The next intelligence is known as the Intrapersonal intelligence: It is related to self-awareness. This type of intelligence denotes to understand one’s own emotions, motivations and the aptitude to self-reflection to control one’s behavior (Armstrong, 2009, p.7). The next one is called Interpersonal Intelligence. For Armstrong (2009) this intelligence deals with the ability to understand other people’s feelings. It is characterized by the capacity to understand other people’s feelings and facility to distinguish facial expressions and interact with others (p.7). Finally, Naturalistic intelligence: is characterized by the affinity towards elements of nature. Naturalistic intelligence also involves recognition and classification of elements of a specific environment (Armstrong, 2009, p.7).

Further, Armstrong (2009) argued that ‘‘there is no standard set of attributes that one must have to be considered intelligent in a specific area’’ (p.16). Therefore, individuals can express their ability in multiple forms within each category of intelligence. Incidentally, MI theory aids to better understand how human intelligence is perceived; traditionally, Intelligence Quotient (IQ) has been used to measure intelligence; however, Gardner

Madkour (2009) examines how educators can apply the theory of multiple intelligences to develop better teaching strategies for ESL classes (p.1-2).The study describes how teachers can implement the multiple intelligences theory in combination with different language theories. Madkour exposes that teachers can implement multiple intelligences and create dynamic techniques for teaching that promote the students ' independence and that increase their motivation (p. 39) For instance, teachers can plan mediation activities that incorporate the MI and catch student’s attention, thus, students will be motivated to participate and learn. Madkour analyzes Garner’s work and