TPR – TOTAL PHYSICAL RESPONSE

James Asher

Physical movement

GivingInstructio

ns

Following Instructio

ns

STRESS

TPR – TOTAL

PHYSICAL RESPONSE

Is a language teaching method built around the coordination of speech and action. This method was

developed principally to reduce the stress associated with language learning.

What is TPR?

Dr. James Asher

Comprehension approach

Young children respond physically to comands before they begin to

produce verbal responses

The influence of the first language acquisition process

Use a similar method to how infants learn the first language

APPROACHInnate Bio-Program

Commands

Physical Respons

e

Verbal Response

Brain Lateralization

Children acquire language through motor movement – a right hemispehre activity

Left hemisphere

Right hemisphere

Language activity

Responsible for motor activities

Analytical Triggers left hemisphere activities

Objective Subjective

Looks at parts Looks at wholes

Sequential Intuitive

APPROACHTheory of learning

Stress-free approach to learning a second language

Commands encourage students to perform

physical activity and relax

Structuralist or grammar-based view of language

Language is made up of abstractions and non-abstractions (nouns, imperative verbs)

Language can be internalized as wholes or chunks rather than single lexical items. There is no further elaboration

Design Objectives

Comprehension

Teach oral proficiency to produce learners who can communicate uninhibitedly and intelligibly with native speakers

DesignSyllabus

Sentence-based syllabus with grammatical and lexical criteria being primary but focusing on meaning not on form. Grammar is taught

inductively

The choice of grammar and vocabulary are determined by the situations presented in the classroom

The activities are basicaly action-based drills in the imperative form in combination with other techniques

Conversational dialogues are delayed until after 120 hours of instruction

DesignActivity types

Learner Roles

Teacher Roles

Roles of materials

Listens and responds physically to commands

Active and direct

No basic text

Monitors and evaluate their own process

Selects and models the material

Teachers voice, actions and gestures

Little influence over content of learning

Prepare detailed lesson plans (no time to improvise)

Pictures, word charts, realia

ROLES

What do you think about this method?

Advantages Dissadvantages

Fun and easy Harder for advanced levels

Good tool for building vocabulary

Students can’t be creative or express their own thoughts

Good for begginers level Could get boring with time

Good for mixed ability levels Challenging for shy students

Good for kinesthetic learners

Conclusion

TPR should be in association with other methods and techniques and it is compatible with other

approaches to teaching.

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