Bangkok--4 Mar--Core & Peak
Thailand’s first school with a Bilingual Program, Sarasas Ektra, School revealed that it has adopted Multiple Intelligences (MI) Theory by Prof. Howard Gardner to be the guidelines to increase the potential of students at all levels as listed in the school Director’s policies, Mr. Pisut Yongkamol, who believes that the student-centered practices requires the discoveries and establishment of every student to accommodate individual competency and potential. This belief is based on the fact that each student possesses unique talents and intellects. The Director also announced to host “Multiple Intelligences Academic Fun Fair 2014” to upgrade and showcase students’ works to find out individual strengths.
Mrs. Supavadee Chotiwannaporn, Assistant Director, Primary Department, remarked “The Multiple Intelligences Academic Fun Fair 2014 aims to discover the individual intellects or talents of each student so we can enhance their strengths by applying development models in 4 steps including 1st step: students’ awareness of intellects in various aspects during Primary 1 – 3 levels, 2nd step: students understand their strengths during Primary 4 – 6 levels, 3rd step: self -discovery during Matayom 1 -3 levels and 4th step: development to full potential during Matayom 4 – 6 levels.
Therefore, the MI activities for students in Primary 6 level will be the 2nd step for each student to find out their strengths based on “Multiple Intelligences Theory”, for example a student with less MI on mathematics and logics does not mean he/she is less capable or have less potential than others as he/she may be keen in other skills such as cleverness and proficiency in social skills, introspection, spatial intelligence, bodily motions, linguistic intelligence, naturalistic or musicality. These activities allow all students to develop their competencies and realize their hidden potential in them so these will be a value-added trait that gives them confidence and a standing point.
Ms. Busararat Kirdpirmpul, Vice Director, Secondary Department, added “Students graduating Matayom 6 level from here must have their own standing points so they can appreciate their values in the social environment. The MI theory is an integrated approach which school would promote the activities that students excel at and their hidden talents will be fully developed such as a stage to perform concert for students who love music, a theater for students who love to act where all dialogues will be in English. When their talents are fully supported, students will not feel that they are left behind so they will learn to love and appreciate themselves. When they are graduated, they will realize their competencies and continue the field of study without wasting time to find out their strengths.”
Continued Ms. Busararat, “As a bilingual school, Sarasa Ektra will conduct the curriculum in both Thai and English with different ratio varying from class to class such as Thai teacher will go over the lessons that foreign teacher has already taught so students can get comprehensive skills. This is not a time wasting method as students can get new vocabularies and international thinking processes so they can think globally while learning Thai. The strength of our students lies in their ability to learn and preserve their individuality in any university. Moreover, our school is keen to maintain the good cultures such as respecting parents, teachers and adults. Our students will not stand in front of teachers so they will also not stand in front of company’s president. This is one of the Thai cultures that our students must practice and learn.”
Mrs. Thanawee Singsuree, Assistant Director, Infant Department, noted “The MI theory does not only focus on Primary or Matayom students but provide foundation since kindergarten level. One of the MI activities in kindergarten department is ‘Cultural Day’ which invites students’ parents to participate in the activities such as linguistic, understanding cultures of other countries, traditional amusements from other countries such as Korea, China, Ireland and Thai. These activities will not only entertain students but also offer many benefits to students such as learn simple greetings in many languages, become acquainted with international cultures, enhance linguistic skills, promote love and harmony among international students so they can happily embrace the co-existence with others.”
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