Rwandz Private Technical Institute
English
Four Smister
Total Physical Responsive
What is TPR's Definition?
TPR or Total Physical Response is a language learning
method that makes use of body movements with
the acquisition of the new language. The Total Physical
Response method mimics how children learn their first
language. There is no expectation to produce the language
at first; as a result, it takes the pressure off the learner. The
focus shifts from producing the language to associating the
language with words and actions and cementing the
relationship between the two.
TPR was first developed by American psychologist Dr. James
Asher in the 1970s. He is a professor of psychology and
former associate dean at San Jose State University.
Why is Total Physical Response used?
A new learner finds it extremely difficult to understand
leave alone to respond in a foreign language. This is
because the teacher is only speaking in the foreign
language that the learner hasn't mastered yet. For a
young learner just starting to learn a language, it all
seems like gibberish. Hence, Dr. James J. Asher, Ph.D.
the creator of the Total Physical Response
method suggests that the right hemisphere of the brain,
which is responsible for motor skills, imagination, and
listening skills, among many others, be engaged before
the left hemisphere that is responsible for language
learning.
When is TPR More Effective?
• Vocabulary terms
• Verbs
• Imperatives and instructions
• Storytelling
• Classroom language
How does Total Physical Response Method Work?
Using the Total Physical Response method, the teacher states the word while showing
the gesture, using exaggerated facial expressions and movement of the body. They ask
the students to repeat the gesture or the action. Now, they ask the students to repeat it
again but this time with the pronunciation. Next, the teacher writes the vocabulary term
on the board for the students to see.
What is the total physical response method?
Total Physical Response or TPR as it is popularly known is a language learning method that
has body movement and language acquisition at its core. Moving the body, singing, dancing
all work very well in this method as it helps the learner cement the action and the meaning
with its association in their heads.
What is the example of total physical response?
While using total physical response in the class, the
teacher can:
1. choose a vocabulary term or a verb from the list of verbs prepared. E.g. take a shower
2. demonstrate the exaggerated action of taking a shower by rubbing hands all over the
body, lifting arms and cleaning armpits, washing the fash, scrubbing the back, even singing
in the shower. The teacher demonstrates the action while saying the verb out aloud.
3. have the students imitate the action while the teacher says the verb out aloud.
4. have the students perform the action and say the word by themselves this time.
5. write the action 'take a shower' on the board so students can see how it's written.
6. repeat the new terms and get the students to practice them. The teacher can also check
for retention every few days.
How is TPR used in the classroom?
TPR can serve as an excellent tool to teach imperatives, instructions, steps of a process, verbs,
new vocabulary terms, etc.
1. Preparation: The teacher prepares a list of vocabulary terms or verbs to be taught in the class
2. Teacher Demonstration: The teacher now demonstrates the verb using body movement and
exaggerated actions while saying the word aloud at the same time.
3. Student Practice: Now the students demonstrate the action while the teacher says the word aloud.
4. Student Participation: Students demonstrate the action and say the word aloud at the same time.
5. Writing: The teacher writes the word on the board so students can see how is it written.
6. Repetition and Practice: The teacher now asks the students to repeat their pronunciation of the
word and the body movement and action associated with it. It is recommended that the teacher
periodically checks retention.
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