How gestures facilitate communication among the speakers of English as L2 and the implications for Language Education

Abstract

This paper analyses gestures used among L2 speakers by presenting an interview of two Tamil native speakers which have moved to Italy for short periods of work in a mechanical multi-national company. The aim is to remark how gestures can improve foreign language speaking and can facilitate the comprehension among L2 speakers; and to highlight the necessity to consider culturally specific gestures when someone interacts with a foreign language speaker. The relevance of gestures in human thought and communication, the cognitive advantages in using gestures as a strategy for teaching languages, and the necessity to learn symbolic gestures to get an intercultural competence will emerge.