When teaching English as a second language, why do some instructors use hand motions?

Answer 1

Using hand motions is a technique known as Total Physical Response or TPR. It is a teaching tool that helps students acquire language by incorporating visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning. This means that the student sees, hears and is physically involved in the learning process. But hand motions are not the sum total of practicing TPR. The teacher models behavior and encourages the student to model that same behavior. For instance, demonstrating a plane flying with arms out or driving a car while imitating hands on a steering wheel. For younger children this can make the class more fun and allow them to use their nature energy productively. However, adults also benefit from this technique which comes out of the Natural Language Learning theory and asserts that language is best learned as we learned our first language, experientially through seeing, hearing and doing.

Answer 2

Involving a student by having him or her "mimic" motions helps associate the "term" and "concept" with the both the actual "word." TPR , or Total Physical Response, is a best practice utilized by ESL teachers and many mainstream teachers as well. This is a process in which the teacher performs the "gesture" several times while repeating the terms/s. The student then mimics these gestures to help solidify both the term and the concept. Gradual release of Responsibility is part of this process. The teacher gradually releases from direct teacher modeling, to practice together, to student practice individually.

Answer 3

Using hand motions is a way to help "bridge the gap." When you use your entire body, it helps connect words with their meanings. Think of when you are teaching your young toddler to speak, do you simply stare at them and speak, or do you point and use gestures? This is not to make it seem as if tutors compare students to a baby, but just to explain the commonality in learning a language. =)

Answer 4

Communication is 55% Body Language, 38% Tone of Voice, and 7% Tone of Words. The best way to express, interact, and intermingle is to keep this natural fact in mind and use language to create meaningful impressions.

Answer 5

Using gestures, such as motioning with the hands to stand up, is known as "Total Physical Response". It is used to help the ELL understand the word. When the new word is completely absorbed into his active vocabulary, the motioning is not necessary any longer. When you are an ENL teacher for a while, motioning with the hands and head, becomes automatic.

Answer 6

This is a good question. The short answer is, humans were not designed for verbal language. It was all signing in the beginning. As we all know, some people (and cultures) are very dramatic with the hands; it's in our DNA. But now, the differences in culture have given rise to different interpretations of hand gestures, which of course creates problems when a "thumbs up" is positive in some cultures but negative in others. The overriding fact, however, which we now know due to modern technical analyses, is that the majority (70-90%) of human communication is nonverbal.