Does Howard Gardener's four uses for language have a profound influence on education?
I think Gardener's second and third uses for language have an influence on education.
Howard Gardner's four uses for language are as follows:
1. Expressive: Using language to express thoughts, feelings, and personal experiences.
2. Assertive: Using language to make statements, provide explanations, and convey information.
3. Social: Using language to interact with others, build relationships, and engage in conversation.
4. Referential: Using language to refer to objects, events, and concepts in the world.
In terms of education, Gardner suggests that a balanced approach to language development should include all four uses. However, there is no clear consensus on whether these four uses have a profound influence on education.
That being said, the second use of language, the assertive function, is highly relevant in education. It involves conveying information and providing explanations, which are crucial aspects of teaching and learning. Teachers often need to present new concepts, explain complex ideas, and provide guidance through verbal instructions. This use of language can significantly impact the effectiveness of educational practices.
Similarly, the third use of language, the social function, also holds importance in education. Collaboration, interaction, and communication among students and with teachers are essential components of the learning process. Language serves as a tool for building relationships, engaging in discussions, and exchanging ideas. The social use of language helps create a supportive and stimulating learning environment.
While the expressive and referential uses of language may not have as direct an impact on education, they still play a role in fostering creativity (expressive) and connecting learning to the real world (referential). However, the influence of these two uses largely depends on the specific educational context and pedagogical approaches being used.
In conclusion, while all four uses of language can contribute to a comprehensive approach to education, it is the assertive and social functions that are more likely to have a noticeable influence on teaching and learning.