It is the ability to use words effectively, either orally or in writing. That is, the ability of a person to express what they think or feel, either in written or spoken form, and where there must be a code, (the same language). The human being created spoken and written language, since then, through signs and symbols, this language has been one of the main transmitters of culture, the way to express thoughts and feelings, the tool of social transactions par excellence and the structure where the communication that man sustains is inserted.
Verbal intelligence is the most recognized in the teaching-learning of a foreign language because it encompasses reading, writing, listening and speaking. This intelligence assumes a sensitivity to oral or written language and the ability to use language to achieve success in anything. "It includes the ability to use syntax, phonetics, semantics and pragmatic uses of language (rhetoric, mnemonics, explanation and metalanguage)".
- Rhetoric: refers to the ability to convince others about a situation; that is, the power of conviction.
- The explanatory: refers to the ability to explain concepts and ideas.
- Memory: allows you to store information for later recall.
- The meta-linguistic: it is the ability to reflect on the use of language.
Calling linguistic or verbal ability an intelligence is consistent with the position of traditional psychology, as well as with logical intelligence. For example, a specific area of the brain called " Brocca's area " is responsible for the production of grammatical sentences. A lesion in this area of the brain, has the ability to understand words and phrases, but has trouble constructing phrases however simple, at the same time, other mental processes can be completely unharmed.
The gift of language is universal, and its development in children is strikingly similar in all cultures. Even in the case of deaf people who were not specifically taught sign language, children often “make up” their own manual language and use it surreptitiously. We see that an intelligence can operate independently.
For his part, Armstrong says that people like to read, write and tell stories; “… They are good at memorizing names, places or dates; they learn best by speaking, listening, and looking at words; in addition, they are sensitive to sounds, rhythm, the meaning of words and the different functions of language ”.
According to Campbell, verbal intelligence has four essential skills that are developed by individuals and are important to improve in the girl and the boy to achieve a more optimal performance, that is: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
- Listening: People need to listen in order to learn to use the spoken word effectively and eloquently, emphasizing that poor mastery of this skill can lead to school failures, misunderstandings, and physical injury.
- Speaking: this becomes another important skill that, to develop, needs a strong dose of practice and stimuli that allow progress, in addition to making more complex and logical sentences.
