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Glite Dictionary
maieutic method

maieutic method

9.9
A way of teaching by asking questions to help students find answers themselves
  • noun
  • /ˌmaɪˈjuːtɪk ˈmɛθəd/
  • Formal
translation icon : método mayéutico
  • By asking probing questions, the teacher utilized the maieutic method to help the students uncover their own insights.

Examples

  • The maieutic method encourages learning but is opposed to forms of teaching that involve the direct inculcation of ideas.

    Academic text (2014)

  • Socrates employed the maieutic method to guide his students toward discovering their own understanding.

  • The maieutic method fosters critical thinking by encouraging learners to arrive at conclusions through dialogue.

Synonyms

Socratic method
vsmaieutic method
2 7.6

A way of teaching by asking students questions to make them think

focuses on guiding students to discover truths themselves in dialogue

Antonyms

to lecture
65 3.8

To give a talk that teaches people about a subject, often at a university

How Question-Based

maieutic method
  • Formal
9.9
discussion
∞ 1.4
to lecture
65 3.8

Surface Forms

maieutic method singular
maieutic methods plural

Morphology

maieutic + method

The adjective 'maieutic' denotes Socratic, question-led pedagogy and when combined with 'method' (an organized procedure) the phrase straightforwardly denotes a method of teaching by questioning. This is a direct adjective+noun composition where the overall sense is derivable from the constituents, so it would be transparent to a B1 learner who knows both words.

Etymology

Maieutic method comes from the word maieutic, which means 'midwife'. One famous teacher, Socrates, said he worked like a midwife: by asking questions he helps students 'give birth' to their own ideas, so the method means 'teaching by guided questions'.