Gesture Method
All students at the College study a language until Year 10.
At the Senior School, teachers of French have for a number of years implemented the Gesture Method, which has greatly increased the verbal fluency of students.
Features of the method
- Only French is spoken in the classroom
- Words and phrases are matched with gestures
- Both students and teachers make the appropriate gesture as they speak each word or phrase
With this method, reading and writing skills are reinforced, while speaking and listening skills are developed to a level which could only otherwise be achieved by cultural immersion.
Classes in Indonesian are also adopting features of this method.
For further information on languages at Helena College, please contact Head of Language B, Danielle Horne.