The Theory of Multiple Intelligences

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4. The Eleventh Grade Students of SMK Negeri 1 Klaten

The eleventh grade students of SMK Negeri 1 Klaten are females students who have different characteristics and styles of learning. The total students of each classroom are about 40 students. The curriculum being applied in this school is School Based Curriculum KTSP: Kurikulum Tingkat Satuan Pendidikan. SMK Negeri 1 Klaten is an SBI Sekolah Berstandar International INVEST Indonesia Vocational Education Strengthening, which is an international standardized school.

5. Multiple Intelligences in Teaching and Learning English

Teaching and learning English in class can be done based on Multiple Intelligences MI theory. It can make the activities more various and help students develop their abilities. Besides, it helps students to learn based on their learning styles. In this situation, they can absorb the materials well. MI theory is a theory which states that every human possesses more than one intelligence.

a. The Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Gardner‟s definition of intelligences is a person‟s ability to solve problems that heshe meets in real life, the ability to produce new problems to solve, and the ability to make something or offer a service that is valued within hisher culture as cited in Campbell, 1999. People meet many problems in life. They can face and solve them well using their MI. They can also create strategies and proper and acceptable deed when they face certain situation. In further, the PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 19 problem-solving skill enables a person to attract a situation in which a goal is to be reached and to find the appropriate route to reach the goal. MI is biological origins that cover each problem-solving skills Gardner, 1993. There are seven intelligences; formerly, in Gardner‟s theory of MI. Based on Gar dner‟s theory of MI as cited in Campbell, 1996 people have nine intelligences. The first is linguistic intelligence. It consists of the ability to think in words and to use language to express and appreciate complex meanings. The second is logical-mathematical intelligence. It makes it possible to calculate, quantify, consider propositions and hypotheses, and carry out complex mathematical operations. The third is spatial intelligence. It instills the capacity to think in three-dimensional way. It enables one to perceive external and internal imagery, to recreate, transform, or modify images, to navigate oneself and objects through space, and to produce or decode graphic information. The fourth is bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. It enables one to manipulate objects and fine-tune physical skills. The fifth is musical intelligence. It is evident in individuals who possess a sensitivity to pitch, melody, rhythm, and tone. The seventh is interpersonal intelligence. It is the capacity to understand and interact effectively with others. The eighth intelligence is intrapersonal intelligence. It refers to the ability to construct an accurate perception of oneself and to use such knowledge in planning and directing one‟s life. Besides, there are still two more intelligences. Shu-Fen Chen in his journal „Coopertative Learning, MI and Proficiency: Application in College English Language Teaching And Le arning‟ mention two more intelligences. They are PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 20 naturalistic and existential intelligences. Naturalistic intelligence is the ability to recognize and classify both the animal and plant kingdoms, to make other consequential distinctions in the natural world and to use this ability productively. Existential Intelligence: those are people who concerned with questions regarding the human conditions such as the meaning of life, death, and love Gardner, 1995. This study will refer to the eight out of nine intelligences mentioned above because the last intelligences or existential intelligences is perplexing enough. Besides, it relates more to spirituality, which will be very complex to be learned through English le ssons since humans‟ spirituals are various and complex in the way they feel and accept. Furthermore, touching existential intelligences would relate to religion, as it is concerning human‟s value of life and existence. Meanwhile, SMK Negeri 1 Klaten is a state school which had multi-religions students. It would be very sensitive to discuss something related to religion in English lesson.

b. Teaching and Learning English Using Theory of Multiple Intelligences