Title

Talking Hands: The Role of Gestures in Language Comprehension and Classroom Anxiety

Creator

Karavokyrou, Maria-Elisavet (Marielisa)

Abstract

Gestures are essential in communication, yet their role in comprehension is understudied. This study explores how gestures could aid understanding in English as a foreign language, as well as a potential link between gestures and anxiety when using a foreign language in class. Gesture perception and production and foreign language classroom anxiety were measured via an online questionnaire with a hundred ACG-Deree undergraduate students. The results showed that gestures aid comprehension, especially when communication is compromised. Although students lack confidence when speaking in class, they do not experience anxiety; therefore, no correlation was found between gesture use and classroom anxiety.

Keywords

Gestures

Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety

Comprehension

Subject

interdisciplinary

Date Available

May 22, 2025

Type

Poster

Course

HEL 2602 Honors Thesis II

Course Offering Term

Fall Semester 2024

Instructor

Paizi, Despoina

Session

Poster Display

Location

Deree Main Corridor

Event

Year 2025 | 9th Annual Student Research and Creative Arts Symposium