Kirsten Beier-Marchesi from Italy presented on her doctoral dissertation. Her research project
explores how movement-based language learning affects the learning process of primary
school students, compared to students who have been taught with traditional methods. It is assumed that by improving their movement patterns students improve their verbal patterns and
learning strategies, too. Eighty students of five primary classes (first year) in the trilingual area of
South Tyrol, Italy, composed three experimental groups, and two control groups. First results
highlight (a) movement arrangements that help memorization of skills in the target language, (b)
the crucial element of students’ energy modulating (using effectively the movement qualities in
self-control) for language comprehension, and (c) differences in relational learning and flexible
language application as observed through drawings of the students.