Let us explain our method in a Neues Lernen style: a dialogue

Linda: Hi Greg! You look good, really refreshed!

Greg: Thanks! Actually I feel really relaxed and at the same time energized. I'm ready to start the term.

L: I thought you spent your holiday at another teacher training course, not relaxing. Was the training cancelled by any chance?

G: No, it worked out just beautifully. I'm so glad I signed up, this Neues Lernen teaching approach is probably the most useful additional training I ever took part in!

L: This is praise indeed! What was so special about this course?

G: Well, first and foremost the positive learning atmosphere.

L: If you say so, I can imagine it was really, really positive!
How do the trainers generate a positive learning atmosphere?

G:It starts with the physical environment, it's pleasant and comfortable and there is music playing. There is peripheral stimulus such as posters and cards. Then, more importantly the trainers are very supportive, encourage student involvement by emphasizing success, building on it and correcting indirectly.

L: Building on success? So the assumption is that success breeds success... I'm sure that's true.
Is the Neues Lernen approach based on any well known research?

G: Yes it is, it draws on the research of Vygotsky, Maslow and Blum among others.

L: That sounds good. Does Neues Lernen draw on any recent research?

G: Yes it does,. McLean's triune brain is very important finding for Neues Lernen, it also takes into account the way the brain functions naturally and of course, the multiple intelligence theory, for example, as well as brain research

L: What exactly is the theory of multiple intelligences?

G: It's a theory that Howard Gardner developed. He argues that there is more than one type of intelligence and that we are all intelligent in our own individual way.

L: This is reassuring! I must find out more about this theory. In terms of teaching, I suppose it means that you need to cater for individual needs.

G: Yes, this is what Neues Lernen does!

L: More good news! How does Neues Lernen ensure that all the different intelligences are taken into consideration?

G: The courses offer a very wide variety of activities, group and individual, passive and active, spontaneous and reflective, rational and creative. The activities involve different skills and always make use of colour, movement or music.

L: Why does Neues Lernen always use colour, movement or music in activities?

G: Colour, movement and music are present as they appeal to the three main learning styles: visual, auditive and kinaesthetic.

L: This teaching approach covers a lot! So what are learning styles?

G: The concept comes from NLP, and is based on the idea that people of a preferred perception style, which is also valid for learning. Some of us learn through seeing, some prefer to listen to information and others are doers.

L: I see, so the variety of activities responds to a real need. You also mentioned brain research. How do the more recent findings in brain research impact on Neues Lernen teaching approach?

G: For example, the findings of McLean mean that if you feel threatened or stressed, you can't learn, which is why the positive, brain friendly, learning atmosphere is so important.

L: This makes a lot of sense. Are the didactic materials designed with the findings of brain research in mind.

G: Yes, the materials are designed to be brain friendly. For example the posters contain short, clear information which can be easily memorised. The written information is in dialogue form, because this how we naturally think.

L: It's true that I think in dialogues, I didn't know that other people did too! It's great that to be able to follow your natural inclinations when you're learning. Are there any other elements in Neues Lernen which follow a natural learning process?

G: Neues Lernen uses elements from TPR, MindMapping and Brain Gym. All three are brain-friendly and easy to integrate in the daily teaching process.

L:I'll definitely look these up carefully. In a few words, what are TPR, MindMapping and BrainGym?

G:TPR is based on movements, rather than words, which are responses to teachers' instructions. MindMapping is a creative note making system which takes the interconnection of thoughts into consideration. BrainGym which is a series of exercises which stimulate a variety of brain functions.

L: There are a lot of new perceptions of teaching here. Actually, I'm starting to wonder if we're getting anything right in what we have been doing recently. Are any of the current trends in education and especially assessment integrated into the Neues Lernen teaching approach?

G: Current trends in education actually concur with Neues Lernen principles. Assessment for learning, self assessment, constructive feedback, project work as well as the European framework of reference, are all very compatible with the Neues Lernen approach.

L: This seems ideal to me, a combination of all the best things in education! The thing is, we have a curriculum to follow, is it possible with Neues Lernen?

G: Yes, you can follow a curriculum with Neues Lernen, actually, teachers using it find that they cover more material than with more traditional approaches. Still, Neues Lernen is definitely a student centred teaching approach, it's a scaffolding process which starts from the learner rather than from a desired level.

L: Starting from students makes more sense than starting from a programme, I can imagine that you need to plan your lesson carefully for this. How do you structure Neues Lernen lessons to reach all your students?

G: The Neues Lernen structure is cyclical and comprises 4 phases. The warm-up, then the presentation, followed by the activation and finally the consolidation phase.
Relaxation exercises are also integrated into the structure, after the presentation phase in any case.

L: Now I know why you look so rested, you were relaxing during teacher training, lucky you! Apart from the obvious benefits to health, what are the benefits of relaxation in a learning situation?

G: Self-esteem is higher when people are relaxed, so it is easier to assimilate new information as you feel more reassured about your capabilities.
Having fun is also relaxing! This releases endorphin which is beneficial to self esteem and learning.

L: So students have fun too... this sounds like heaven! One last question now. Are Neues Lernen principles applicable to all subjects, mathematics for example?

G: Yes, the basic principles of Neues Lernen are applicable to all subjects even though it is best adapted to foreign languages.

L: So, where do I sign up for the next course?

G: Oh! Here: