Unit 3 Total Physical Response

o  TOTAL Physical Response (TPR) is a language teaching method built around the coordination of speech hand action; it attempts to teach language through physical (motor) activity.

o  TPR is linked to the “trace theory” of memory in psychology, which holds that the more often or the more intensively a memory connection is traced, the stronger the memory association will be and the more likely it will be recalled.

Comprehension Approach in Language Teaching

1. Comprehension abilities precede productive skills in a learning a language;
2. The teaching of speaking should be delayed until comprehension skills are established;
3. Skills  acquired through listening transfer to other skills;
4. Teaching should emphasize meaning rather than form; and
5. Teaching should minimize learner stress.

The Principles of Language Teaching in TPR

1)    Meaning In the target language can often be conveyed through actions.

2)    Memory is activated through learner’s response.

3)    Language should be presented in chunks, not just word by word.

4)    The students’ understanding of the target language should be developed before speaking.

5)    Language learning is more effective when it is fun.

6)    Spoken language should be emphasized over written language.

7)    Students are expected to make errors when they first begin speaking.

Conducting Total physical Response

1. Procedure

Teacher says and exemplifies action

Teacher says and exemplifies action // students do the action

Teacher says // students do the action

Volunteer students say actions// other students do the action

Introduce 'paper and pen' tasks

Introduce more complex TPR activities (combine with songs, stories, etc)

Review activities from time to time, each time in a more complex way

2. Do

Use verbs in the infinitive

Use simple sentences, make them complex little by little

Say name of student once you have said the order

Use taped material from time to time

Use mime, gestures or visual material whenever you can

…

3. Don't do

Do not translate

Do not ask your students to translate

Do not use written language

Do not explain grammar

Do not spend more than 15 minutes with each activity (unless drawing is involved)

Do not ask your students to repeat, only do as you say

Do not feel embarrassed

…

4. Examples of activities

Listen and point

Listen and do

Listen and match

Listen and draw

Listen, do and sing

Listen and colour

Listen and cut

Example: Color the mouse

1.   Color the mouse’s head brown.

2.   Color his tail brown too.

3.   Color his shirt green too.

4.   Color his trousers red.

5.   Draw flowers on the ends of the sticks in the mouse’s hand. Color them yellow, orange, red, blue, and pink.

6.   Draw the sun in the sky. Color it yellow.

7.   Cut out the picture and stick it on the front of your card.