Total Physical Response(TPR)

Prepared by:Adnan Hadi

BACKGROUND : The Total Physical Response method, TPR, was developed by Dr. James Asher (1977). Asher developed TPR as a result of his experiences observing young children learning their first language.

He noticed that interactions between parents and children often took the form of speech from the parent followed by a physical response from the child.

BACKGROUND :

Listen. .

Watch. .

Imitate. . .

TPR is… Total Physical Response (TPR) is a language teaching

method built around the coordination of speech and action;

it attempts to teach language through physical (motor)

activity. In TPR, instructors give commands to students in the target

language, and students respond with whole-body actions. Total physical response is often used alongside other

methods and techniques. It is popular with beginners and

with young learners, although it can be used with students

of all levels and all age groups.

Learning fundamentals Bio-program

• Children understand complex utterances they cannot spontaneously produce

• Activation of Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic senses of the learner

Brain lateralization• Directed to right brain hemisphere which

controls nonverbal behavior.

Reduction of stress• The lower the stress, the better the learning,

The Affected Filter Hypnosis.

Goals Expose the natural use of language. Enjoying experience of learning to

communicate in another language. Reduction of stress people feel when studying

other languages.

Principles Listening ability and vocabulary must be

developed first. There must not be any stress in the class. Regular repetition. Action verbs are the core of TPR. TPR is also technique of teaching vocabulary

and grammar (embedded within the imperative). No forcing but exploit the student’s errors for

exposing others structure points.

Roles of a Teacher Active and direct role

Select supporting materials, and model the lesson

Allow speaking abilities to develop in natural pace

Parent-like feedback and “fine tune”

Roles of Learners Listener & performer

• Listen attentively and respond physically to com mands given by the teacher

• Recognize and respond to novel combinations of previously taught items

• Produce novel combinations

• Encouraged to speak not until they feel ready

Materials Generally no basic text

Initially: teacher’s voice, actions and gestures, later – classroom objects and/or supporting materials

• TPR student kits (focus on specific situation)

Learning process New commands

• Teacher gives new commands, repeat and vary them

Role reversal• Student command their teacher and

classmates Reading and writing

• Teacher writes new items on the blackboard

Useful activities Simon says: commonly used to teach the part of

the body, but still can be used for many different activities such as giving directions and many more.

Charades: best suited to action verbs and sports. introduce each with flashcards, act out each of the sports yourself, then students perform the action and/or guess the sport.

A Stroll around the Classroom: several objects or props/realia. First, pantomime a series of actions while you say the phrases. Then you say the phrases and ask a student to pantomime the actions.

Conclusions TPR is a language teaching method built

around the coordination of speech and action

TPR proved to be useful in second language acquisition

BUT! In order to be successful, TPR should be used in association with other methods and techniques.