Enhancing Memory and Mental Association of English Grammar: Motivation of the Visual-Spatial Intelligence Through Pieces of Art

Abstract

[eng] This thesis focuses on enhancing memory through the usage of mental association. By using this mental process, students will be able to improve their command of English grammar. In order to do so, specific visual stimuli will be introduced to the EFL classroom with the aim of creating associates. The visual stimuli will consist of a selection of paintings, each of them assigned to a unit. This way, an association will be created between the painting and a specific meaning, in this case grammatical elements. In order to incorporate the role of the paintings to the ELF classroom, arts integration is one of the main foundations of the teaching proposal. Therefore, English and art will work hand in hand to provide a new pathway to language teaching and learning. This project contemplates the existence of a wide range of intellectual profiles within the same class, and so, the presence of multiple intelligences in education. Visual-Spatial intelligence is a central element of this thesis, and so, one of the main ideas presented throughout this project is the application of visual aids to the teaching and learning strategies, through the exposure to pieces of art. By providing innovative and appealing strategies in the class, students’ level of motivation will be positively affected as they train their memory and visual intelligence