Total Physical Response
By the end of this lecture, students
should be able to:

Develop an awareness about the
history of the TPR.

Recognize the nature of TPR.

Define Total Physical Response.

Recognize the methodology of TPR.

Identify the advantages and
disadvantages of the TPR.

Form an outline about the TPR.
Objective
s of this
lecture
The History of the Total Physical Response
•The
total physical response (TPR) method
was developed by psychologist James Asher
(1974). This method is based on the
principle that people learn better when
they are involved physically as well as
mentally. In TPR, students are required to
respond nonverbally (physically) to a series
of commands ,such as "Pick it up" and "Put
it down".
•TPR
is based on the notion of first
language acquisition when children “listen,
watch and imitate”
The nature of the TPR:

Activities where a command is given in the
imperative and the students obey the
command is the main activity in TPR.

Physical Response focus on listening skill which
the students are required to listen what
teachers comment and response immediately.

Teacher’s role is to command the students
through various imperative sentences.

In the classroom the teacher and students take
on roles similar to that of the parent and child
respectively. Students must respond physically
to the words of the teacher.
The nature of the TPR:

The emphasis in TPR is on listening comprehension
until oral proficiency is developed.

Careful choice of useful and communicative
language at beginner level can make TPR activities
entirely valid.

Many learners respond well to kinesthetic activities
and they can genuinely serve as a memory aid.

Another excellent way to employ TPR is by the use of logical
sequences of actions, also known as Gouin series, such as
driving a car or taking a picture.

The following example of : “Driving a Car”

I take my car key in my hand. I walk to the car. I unlock the
car door or I use my remote to unlock the door. I open the car
door. I get into the car. I close the door. I put on the seat
belt. I place the key in the ignition. I start the car. I take off
Definition of the TPR:

Total Physical Response is a language learning
method based on the coordination of speech
and action. TPR is based, first and foremost,
on listening and this is linked to physical
actions which are designed to reinforce
comprehension of particular basic items.

Objectives of the Total Physical Response:

Teaching oral proficiency at a beginning level

Using comprehension as a means to speaking

Using action-based drills in the imperative
form.
The Methodology of the TPR:
1- The teacher gives a command and the students respond physically,
the teacher ascertains students’ comprehension of the command.
Initially, the teacher begins with simple commands such as: “Sit
Down, Stand Up, Turn around and walk back to your seats.”
2- Once the students have practiced doing the commands a number of
times, the students will give the commands, thus developing oral
proficiency.
3- Then, teachers can employ pictures, objects, and for students to
manipulate as they respond nonverbally.
For example, the students are studying a unit on “emotions.” The
teacher can pass out pictures of people displaying different emotions.
“Raise the picture of the girl who seems sad.”
3-Commands become more complex as the students continue to develop
listening comprehension and knowledge of subject matter. the assistance of
pictures, students can be asked to categorize modes of transportation by land,
water, or air, or they could be asked to rearrange pictures to show the life
cycle of a butterfly.
Advantages of the TPR:
1.
Students enjoy getting up out of their chairs and moving
around.
2.
Simple TPR activities do not require a great deal of
preparation on the part of the teacher.
3.
TPR is aptitude-free, working well with a mixed ability
class, and with students having various disabilities.
4.
It is good for kinesthetic learners who need to be active in
the class.
5.
Class size need not be a problem, and it works effectively
for children and adults.
Disadvantages of the TPR:
1.
The lack of reading and writing, become the main
disadvantage in this approach.
2.
This method limits the student’s creativity as it only
required the students to response.
3.
It is difficult to give instructions without using imperatives,
so the language input is basically restricted to this single
form.
4.
It is quite difficult to see how this approach could extend
beyond beginner level.
5.
The relevance of some of the language used in TPR activities
to real-world learner needs is questionable.
6.
Moving from the listening and responding stage to oral
production might be workable in a small group of learners
but it would appear to be problematic when applied to a
class of 30 students.
Application : Typical Techniques:
•Giving
commands by the side of the
teacher, and students should respond to
those commands.
•Kinesthetic
•Usage
activities.
of pictures and objects.
•Students
don’t speak until ready.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1
Mk6RRf4kKs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K
M-NFmpc6d8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6
De52Pzr8c
The End
Thank you for your
participation