 Total Physical Response (TPR) is a method of teaching a foreign language which is based on the coordination of speech and action. The method was developed by a professor of psychology at San José State University Dr. James J. Asher. The basics of TPR lie in the belief that the process of acquiring any foreign language should follow the pattern of native language acquisition, in which a learner spend much time learning to decode the messages heard and seen before actually reproducing the language itself.
The theoretical foundation of this approach relies on certain principles:
• Second language learns in the same ways as the first language is learnt;
• Students should develop listening skills first, and speaking skills afterwards;
• The child’s response to spoken language is usually physical, so adult learners should do that as well when learning a foreign language;
• After the listening comprehension skills are developed, speech develops without much effort from the speaker;
• In the process of learning, adults use right-brain motor activities, while the left hemisphere is left to watch and learn;
• Postponing the speech learning reduces stress.
Classroom Usage
In the classroom the roles are divided between the teacher and students, the former being a “parent”, the latter being the “children”. Students must respond physically to the verbal questions / commands / requests of a teacher. The activities in the classroom may follow all kind of scenarios from very simple to more complex ones.
The TPR method of teaching a language can be used for a variety of purposes: teaching vocabulary, and classroom language, imperative sentences or some other aspects of grammar. Moreover, this method is a good alternative for teaching students with learning disabilities who have problems learning with traditional approaches.
The advantages of the TPR method are:
- students enjoy moving around the classroom during the lesson;
- teachers are not required to prepare long hours beforehand;
- the method is suitable for classrooms of children with mixed abilities or disabilities;
- the method is effective for both adults and young children;
- the classroom size does not pay big role.
The shortcomings of the TRP method include:
- the TRP is best suitable for beginners;
- students don’t get a change to express their thoughts;
- the method can be challenging for shy students;
- the method emphasizes imperative constructions, which may lead to the future inappropriate and rude language of the learner.
It is obvious that using a specific method for teaching a foreign language requires careful preparation and consideration. Today, in most classrooms a combination of several methods are successfully used to achieve the most desirable results.
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