GESTURES IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

ABSTRACT: Can our gestures aid the teaching and learning process? This paper summarizes the state-of-the-art on the subject within the educational field, focusing on gestural communication. There have been studies at virtually all levels of education regarding the use of gestures to assist students in learning a second language, inclusive education, and science and math education. In general, there is solid evidence supporting that gestural communication helps in the evaluation and introduction of a new word in the teaching of a second language; as an additional resource for teachers and students with disabilities; and as a tool to contribute to the teaching of concepts considered abstract and complex in the field of science and mathematics teaching. We highlight the strong evidence that gesture constitutes a hidden yet powerful channel to exchange information, learn, and a tool to help reason.