Errr.... but if you tilt your hand backwards i.e. down, it goes up. If you tilt the elevator down the plane goes down .

First you have to realise that if the elevator goes DOWN, it's the TAIL of the aircraft that goes UP and that cause the aircraft overall to go DOWN (or more accurately PITCH down). That's asking a lot of a complete beginnner. I've met a few experienced pilots who couldn't easily think that one through without considerable arm-waving .

Steve