Lazarnov asserts that inefficient learning is caused by psychological barriers that limit our ability to learn. He proposes a method called Desuggestpedia to accelerate the learning process by reducing these barriers. Desuggestpedia involves creating a relaxed, comfortable environment where students feel free to take on new identities and are encouraged through positive reinforcement and gentle error correction. The teacher acts as a trusted authority to easily guide students through receptive and activation phases of learning with an emphasis on communication skills over formal testing.

1. Desuggestpedia

2. Introduction
Lazarnov asserts
● Inefficient learning is because we set up
psychological barriers to learning.
● We fear we are unable to perform ---> we
limit our ability to learn ---> we fail.
● Need to desuggest the limitations
● We do not use the full mental powers we
have.

3. Principles
● Teacher’s goals:
Accelerate process of learning everyday
lang; reducing psychological barriers
● Roles:
teacher as authority figure..embodies trust,
respect, easily persuasive

4. Principles
Learning Process:
● comfortable, relaxing; students choose
“new” identities; whole brain used-;
feelings strongly acknowledged, positive
reinforcement;
● 2 phases:
 Receptive--
 Activation

5. Pinciples
● Evaluation:
 Evaluate in-class performance, no
formal tests, which increase anxiety.
 Errors are corrected gently
● Language areas:
 Vocabulary and speaking
communicatively are emphasized

6. Pinciples
● Native language
 Translation at beginning level.
Reduced as student advance.

7. Techniques
● Classroom set-up
● Peripheral learning
● Positive suggestion
● Choose a new identity
● Role-play
● First concert-second concert
● Primary activation
● Creative adaptation

8. Questions for discussion
1. Do you agree that students’ learning is
facilitated when they are relaxed and
comfortable?
2. Do you agree learning should be as
enjoyable as possible?
3. Do you accept (or not) any of the principles
of Desuggestpedia?
4. How, if any, has the concepts of Desuggest
influence your experience of
teaching/learning?