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methodological tinkering, a number of his followers in various parts of the world have come up with quite a range of effective variations on the original Suggestopedia. Third, and perhaps most important, Diller points out that it is possible to borrow techniques from the unconventional methods without really learning anything from them. Needless to say, borrowing should always be done with the intention of better meeting the needs of an ongoing class, but it should at the same time be done with judgment, taking into account the kinds of principles that Diller outlined.
7.4 Summary of this book Often, it seems, we are drawn to this method or to that model for a variety of reasons. Those reasons may include one or another of its by-products. That is to say, the method or the model may, through its impressive results, appear to confirm some conclusion that we had already wanted to reach. These desired conclusions are important elements of our ‘faith’, in the general sense in which that word has been used in this book (13.4). Examples of such conclusions are: £ Kindness is more effective than coercion. £ Firmness is more effective than permissiveness. £ When students feel good about the course and about themselves, they will learn better than when they do not. £ Any method that does not require serious and occasionally onerous effort from learners will be ineffective. £ Within us (or within our grasp) we have undreamed-of possibilities. £ Concentrated, intuitive introspection together with courage and patience will make possible unlimited growth in constructive and socially desirable directions. £ Skilled and sensitive understanding of another person can release that other person’s whole self so it can deal adequately with whatever needs to be dealt with, whether cognitive or otherwise. £ Rational, critical inquiry can deal adequately with everything that really needs to be dealt with. £ A model of teaching (or thinking) which makes full use of one’s own personal strengths is superior to models which demand strengths of other kinds. (Corollary: a model which demands strength in an area where one is weak is misguided.)