ERIC Number: EJ1243439
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0965-8416
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Effects of Teaching Methods for Raising ESL Students' Awareness of Gesture
Hilliard, Amanda
Language Awareness, v29 n1 p1-20 2020
Research shows that gestures help L2 learners compensate for shortcomings in their second language, aid in the language learning process, and facilitate successful classroom communication between teachers and students . Despite this, there has been little research into whether L2 learners can benefit from classroom activities to raise their awareness of gesture use in a second language. The current study tests this hypothesis. An experimental group of 13 students and a control group of 10 students were recorded in pairs completing three separate tasks, received instruction on the tasks, and finally completed a second recording. The experimental group's classroom activities included a focus on gesture, while the control group's did not. Overall, compared to the control group, the experimental group gestured more frequently and expressively on the post-test. Moreover, students in the experimental group had a positive attitude towards the gesture awareness raising activities. The results of the study suggest that gesture awareness raising activities can improve L2 learners' gesture use in a second language, offering implications for L2 learners, language instructors, and researchers.
Descriptors: Nonverbal Communication, English (Second Language), Second Language Instruction, Learning Activities, Student Attitudes, Interpersonal Communication, Cultural Differences, Foreign Students, Communication Strategies
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Arizona
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Author Affiliations: N/A