Never heard of it, but on researching it a bit more, it sounds very interesting.
It is based on learning through both the conscious mind as well as the SUB-conscious mind, and with the help of relaxation. At first, I thought it was similar to what we covered in this thread:
http://forum.brillkids.com/general-discussion-b5/benefits-of-sleep-talking/msg2186/#msg2186(Heath, you might find this useful in relation to your questions about when to play CDs).
But apparently it's not really that.
Here is the Wikipedia entry about it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SuggestopediaPhysical surroundings and atmosphere in classroom are the vital factors to make sure that "the students feel comfortable and confident"[2] , and various techniques, including art and music, are used by the trained teachers. The lesson of Suggestopedia consisted of three phases at first: deciphering, concert session (memorization séance), and elaboration.
Deciphering: The teacher introduces the grammar and lexis of the content.
Concert session (active and passive): In the active session, the teacher reads the text at a normal speed, sometimes intoning some words, and the students follow. In the passive session, the students relax and listen to the teacher reading the text calmly. Music (“Pre-Classical”) is played background.
Elaboration: The students finish off what they have learned with dramas, songs, and games.
Then it has developed into four phases as lots of experiments were done: introduction, concert session, elaboration, and production. [1] [3]
Introduction: The teacher teaches the material in “a playful manner” instead of analyzing lexis and grammar of the text in a directive manner.
Concert session (active and passive): In the active session, the teacher reads with intoning as selected music is played. Occasionally, the students read the text together with the teacher, and listen only to the music as the teacher pauses in particular moments. The passive session is done more calmly.
Elaboration: The students sing classical songs and play games while “the teacher acts more like a consultant[1]
Production: The students spontaneously speak and interact in the target language without interruption or correction.
For CHILDREN, this is what it says:
The method for Adults includes long sessions without movement, [1] and materials that are appropriate for adults. Children, however, get impacts from “the social suggestive norms” differently and their brains are more delicate than those of adults. Therefore, another method with different materials should be applied to children, which better matches their characteristics. Lessons for children are more incidental and short, preventing the children from the negative pedagogical suggestions of Society. It is important to tell the parents about the method and their roles because they could influence children both negatively and positively, depending on how they support the kids.
Here is the official site by the founder:
http://lozanov.hit.bg/But probably easier to get a grasp of it from this video:
<![CDATA[<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/yX4JFEUgqlg&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/yX4JFEUgqlg&rel=1</a>]]>(There are 5 parts to this video, this is just Part 1. Go to YouTube for the others.)
From reading the above, I also came across what seems to be another very interesting (and apparently very effective method): The Michel Thomas Method, which is another method that is also based on relaxation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Thomas_Method
<![CDATA[<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/KtfuVAQDHc0&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/KtfuVAQDHc0&rel=1</a>]]>btw, these methods were originally made for ADULTS to learn foreign languages, but I think they have evolved so as to be used for children too.
Digg
