Georgi Lozanov (Bulgarian: Георги Лозанов) (July 22, 1926 in Sofia, Bulgaria – May 6, 2012 in Sliven, Bulgaria), known as ‘the father of accelerated learning’, was a Bulgarian scientist, neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist and educator, creator of suggestology, suggestopedia (or ‘suggestopaedia’, an experimental branch of suggestology for use in pedagogy), and integrated psychotherapy.
He developed suggestopedia, a learning/teaching theory based on his early-1960s study of suggestion which is known as “suggestology”.[1]
Lozanov’s theory and practice triggered an accelerated learning movement in the West, where various techniques not originally included in the Lozanov’s theory were introduced. Such techniques included elements such as breathing, visualization, and biofeedback. There is a school in Sliven dedicated to preparing teachers for using suggestopaedia during lessons in order to improve the learning speed of pupils.
During the 1970s his theories and method were carefully analyzed and evaluated worldwide by a committee on languages learning and eventually certified by Unesco as “the most cultural integral and effective learning method” in Second Language Acquisition, better known today as its corporate adaptation called the Accelerated Learning Method.
Among his research, Georgi Lozanov had conducted during his earlier career stages advanced long-term research in the field of parapsychology, especially on clairvoyance at the University of Sofia.
He eventually left the Soviet Union, and settled in Western Europe opening the Lozanov Institute in Vienna, while he was conducting extensive work in North America, particularly in Washington, D.C. and Ottawa, working at its corresponding Diplomatic Institutes on the development and implementation of accelerated second language training programs for federal government employees.
In 1966 Georgi Lozanov created the State Suggestology Research Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria, and the Centre for Suggestology and Development of Personality at the University of Sofia ” St Climent Ohridski”, which he directed until 1984.[2]
During the 1970s he created the Lozanov learning method for super-learning of foreign languages, after the methodology audit of 1978 the method was certified by Unesco in 1980. Upon certification of his method, Georgi Lozanov created the International Centre for Desuggestology in Vienna, Austria.
Then in 2005 with the contribution of his wife, the linguist, pedagogue, and artist Dr. Evelyna Gateva,[3] they created the Lozanov International Centre for Teacher Training in Vorarlberg, Austria that develops and provides teacher-training programs that certified new instructor and facilitators. In March 2006 at the Trainers’ Conference in Sofia, it was created the International Association of Suggestology (Suggestopedia) founded with headquarters in Oslo, Norway; Dr. Lozanov was elected honorary chairman of the Association, and Professor Lisa Hartmark from Norway was elected chairwoman.
Also in 2006, on March 26th, he created the Lozanov International Trainers Association[4] and they founded LITTA the Lozanov Institute.[5]
References
- “Father of accelerated learning Dr. Georgi Lozanov passes away”. Topix. Retrieved 2012-05-13.
- Dr. LOZANOV, Suggestopedia NGO | http://www.lozanov.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=73
- Dr. Professor Evelina Gateva, LITTA, 2010 | https://www.litta.net/lozanov/evelina-gateva/
- THE PROTOCOL OF LOZANOV INTERNATIONAL TRAINERS ASSOCIATION |http://www2.vobs.at/ludescher/LITA%20MEETING/The%20protocol%20of%20Lozanov%20International%20Trainers%20Association.pdf
- Lozanov International Teacher and Training Association (LITTA) | https://www.litta.net/
Photo credit: Kazhagiwara Wikimedia