non-verbal+students+and+cross-cultural+communication

The case study in Foreman (2008: 362-4) dealing with a non-verbal student with a moderate intellectual disability, Abdul, whose parents are Lebanese and speak Arabic at home makes no suggestions about cultural considerations in the classroom. The value of learning Auslan was mentioned in our tutorials, but gestures also play a huge part in communication among people who are not deaf or have impaired hearing. This may be more the case in some cultures than others. There is a common saying in Arabic that to tie someone's hands is to cut out their tongue (Thani 2007). Maitua-Faahu (1999) calls Tahitian a 'mimogestural' language because so much of what is communicated gets said with one's eyes and hands. Tidwell (n.d.) provides a good brief introduction to the subject of intercultural communication. If I had a student like Abdul in my class, given his reliance on non-verbal comunication, I think it would be just as valuable to teach the class the gestures he uses at home as it would to teach Auslan. This could be done with students of any age. It would also be valuable to discuss gestures used by the other children in the classroom to communicate. There are some links below to sites with information on gestures commonly used in Arabic speaking countries. They include video and pictures that could be used in the classroom. It is important not to assume that a child from a particular cultural background will necessarily fit the stereotype, and discuss cultural practices with the child and his or her parents.

[] - an Egyptian mobile phone company advertisement that clearly demonstrates the importance of gesture in everyday communication. I would start the lesson with this.

[] - developed by the US military and used by UNESCO.

[] - yes, a bellydancing website; dance materials can be an invaluable source of information about gestures.

[] - information about cross-cultural communication can also be commonly found on travel websites

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[|http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/gallery/2010/feb/07/arabic-gestures#/?picture=358603394&index=3] - some pictures you could use in class

[] - a short video demonstration of 3 common gestures used in the Arab world

[] - a short video clip of another common gesture. __ References: __

Foreman, Phil (ed.) (2008) //Inclusion in action//, 2nd Edition. Melbourne: CENGAGE Learning.

Maitua-Faahu, Hinano (1999) //Le geste dans l'apprentissage de la lecture: appropriation de la lecture par l'enfant polynesien en difficulte grace a la methode gestuelle de Suzanne Borel-Maisonny en classe d'adaptation//. Unpublished thesis presented for the Certificat d'aptitude aux actions pedagogiques specialisees d'adaptation et d'integration scolaire. Tahiti: University of French Polynesia.

Thani, Hissa Al (2007) Disability in the Arab region: current situation and prospects. //Adult Education & Development// no.68. Retrieved on 1 July 2011 from []

Tidwell, Charles H. (n.d.) //Non-verbal communication modes//. Retrieved on 1 July 2011 from []