methods in language teaching

TOTAL PHYSICAL
RESPONSE (TPR)
Fernanda Muchagatta, Emanuella Beatrice Vialle Jara Maia,
Isabella Llipe Alencar Lopes, Ketelyn ignez Barbosa
 AGENDA
Topics we will will be covering in our presentation

1 Backgroud 5 Types of teaching activities

2 Approach (Theory of language and learning) 6 Roles (learner, materials and teacher)

3 Objectives 7 Procedure

4 The syllabus 8 Conclusion

 BACKGROUND
TPR = teaching language through physical
activity
Developed by James Asher a professor of
psychology at San Jose State University,
California
Based on learning theory, developmental
psychology, and humanistic pedagogy
It's linked to the "trace theory"
 DEVELOPMENTAL
SENSE
Adult second language learning is similar to
the child's first language acquisition
Children respond physically to commands
before producing verbal responses
Adults should follow the same process to
acquire a new language
Teaching comprehension before speaking
THEORY OF
LANGUAGE AND The verb in the imperative is viewed as the
central linguistic motif around which language
LEARNING use and learning are organized
Asher believes that most of the grammatical
structure of the target language and vocabulary
can be learned from the use of imperative by
the instructor
Combined tracing activities, such as verbal
rehearsal accompanied by motor activity,
increase the possibility of successful recall
Asher has elaborated three
influential learning
hypotheses: the bio-program,
brain lateralization, and
reduction of stress
OBJECTIVES

Total Physical Response aims

to teach proficiency at the
beginning level,
comprehension, and basic
speaking skills.
THE SYLLABUS
Total Physical Response requires initial
attention to meaning rather than to the form of
items;
Grammatical features and vocabulary items are
selected according to the situations in which
they can be used in the classroom and the ease
with which they can be learned;
A fixed number of items be introduced at a
time, to facilitate ease of differentiation and
assimilation;
Variety is critical for maintaining continued
student interest.
TYPES OF
TEACHING
ACTIVITIES
Imperative drills;
Conversational dialogues;
Role-plays;
Slide presentations;
Reading and writing activities.
LEARNER To listen attentively

ROLES Respond physically to commands

Recognize and respond
Produce new combinations
Speak when feeling ready
Individually and Collectively
 "The instructor is the director of a stage play in which

TEACHER
the students are the actors"
(ASHER, 1997)
Preparation

ROLES Clear commands

Provide the best kind of exposure to
language
Provide materials
Allow speaking abilities to develop
in learners at their own natural pace
Give feedback without interrupting
to correct errors
INSTRUCTIONAL Images
Sounds
MATERIALS Word charts
ROLES Focus on specific situations,
such as the home, the
supermarket, and the beach
Students may use the kits to
construct scenes.
 PROCEDURE
Total Physical Response (TPR) is a method in
language teaching which attempts to develop
language mastery and communication ability as
the impact of body movements as a response to
language cues. It is built around the coordination
of speech and action, in which vocabulary items
are paired with appropriate physical actions,
designed to reinforce comprehension of the
items, and then accompanied by language
practice
 CONCLUSION
Total Physical Response is a teaching
methodology that works as a two-way street.
Our body has memory, and learning through
movements and association can be very
productive as long as both teacher and learner
engage in class. It also might be used along
with others methodologies, so that TPR will be
more effective.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
LARSEN-FREEMAN, Diane; ANDERSON, Marti. Techniques and
principles in language teaching. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University
Press, 2011. 252

RICHARDS, Jack C.; RENANDYA, Willy A. (Ed.). Methodology in

language teaching: an anthology of current practice. New York,
NY: Cambridge University Press, 2002. vii, 422

Asher, .J. 1977. Learning Another Language Through Actions: The

Complete Teacher's Guide Book. Los Gatos, Calif.: Sky Oaks
Producrions. (2nd ed. 1982.)