Total Physical Response (TPR) is a language teaching method that uses physical movement and actions in response to verbal commands to reinforce comprehension, relying on the assumption that a second language is internalized through a process similar to first language acquisition. TPR lessons involve students responding physically to teacher commands to build vocabulary and fluency through situational language use. The method is intended primarily for teaching English as a second language but is also used for other languages, and benefits students of all ages through an engaging, interactive approach.
2. Total Physical Response
(TPR)
What is TPR?
TPR is an approach to
teaching a second
language, based on
listening linked to physical
activities which are
designed to reinforce
comprehension.
3. Total Physical Response
(TPR)
A little more on TPR . . .
Total Physical Response (TPR) is a method developed by Dr.
James J. Asher to aid learning second languages.
The method relies on the assumption that when learning a second or
additional language, that language is internalized through a process
of code-breaking similar to first language development
Students respond to commands that require physical movement.
TPR is primarily intended for ESL teacher, although the method is
used in teaching other languages as well.
4. Total Physical Response
(TPR)
What is the connection to the
classroom?
TPR is not always dancing and singing
songs! Generally, we refer to body
movement with instruction to engage
learners.
Students learn by identifying a certain
key point to some action.
TPR can be used for all curriculum,
literacy, science, math, and so on.
5. What are advantages of TPR?
Fun and Easy: Students enjoy
activity!
Simple TPR activities do not
require a great deal of
preparation on the part of the
teacher.
TPR is inclusive and works well
a class with mixed ability levels.
Good for kinesthetic learners
who need to be active in class.
6. Good tool for building
vocabulary.
Actions help build connections
in the brain.
Helps learners achieve fluency
faster by immersing learners in
activities that involve them in
situational language use.
Good instructional practice for
ESL’s in their silent period.
Works well for child and adult
learners.
7. What are disadvantages of
TPR?
Most useful for beginners.
Preparation becomes an
issue for teachers at higher
levels.
Students are not generally
given the opportunity to
express their own thought in
as creative manner.
8. It is easy to over use TPR and begin to
bore students.
May limit teachers in term of scope of
language that can be addressed.
Can be a major challenge for shy students.
9. Who benefits most from
TPR?
TPR seems to
work effectively
for children and
adults. There is no
age barrier.
English speaking
students who have
little academic
reinforcement at
home.
10. Principles
• Makes emphasis in the physical activity as
answer to the linguistic message.
• The teacher uses orders the most part of the
time and the communication with his/her
students in class is practiced in this way.
• The activities in class privilege the
development of the listening comprehension
and the vocabulary and speech’s
acquisition. Students often listen to
teacher’s orders and in this way, they
acquire a great familiarity with the language
sounds that he/she studies, at the same
time that he/she increases his/her
vocabulary by means of the teacher’s
actions observation.
11. •The method respects the initial silence of
students (silent period). This silent period
helps students to take confidence in their
knowledge seen that by means of the
observation and the listening they can
associate sounds, actions and meanings.
When students are surer they start, generally
in a spontaneous way, the use of the spoken
language and take the place of the teacher to
give orders.
Mistake’s correction is flexible and indirect,
miming how generally happens when children
acquire their mother language.
