Total Physical Response

Total Physical Response Definition

As we mentioned, total physical response is a teaching technique often utilized by second language teachers, but let's look at a more in-depth definition:

TPR as a teaching strategy was first introduced in 1969 by psychology professor Dr. James. J. Asher.¹ According to Asher, the technique is based on how children learn their first language and was designed to help students quickly recognize and remember the meaning of new vocabulary.

Although TPR is most commonly used to introduce new vocabulary and give instructions, it can also help students passively learn the structure and grammar of a language.

TPR is most commonly used for young learners and beginners; however, it can still be useful for adult learners and more advanced language users.

Fig 1. Using TPR can help make instructions clearer.

Total Physical Response Method

Now we have a basic understanding of total physical response, let's look a little more at the background and principles of the method.

Dr. Asher based his TPR method on the way parents/caregivers interact with their young children. He noticed that adults and children were able to communicate without the use of complete language, and children could comprehend far more complex language structures than they could produce themselves.

Based on these observations, Asher outlined his TPR method for second language learning, which is based on the following three main principles:

• The brain learns a language through listening. The brain best internalizes and remembers the language by responding to it with a physical response.

• Language learning should engage the right side of the brain. The right side of the brain deals with movement, images, problem-solving, and creativity, whereas the left deals more with logic, words, and rational thought. Asher believed that physical movement would engage the right side of the brain and help students comprehend language before they used the left side of their brain to produce the language.

• Language learning should be fun and stress-free. By adding movement into a classroom, students are less desk-bound and free to "play around" with language.

The Comprehension Approach

Total physical response is a teaching method that follows the comprehension approach — the lesser-known counterpart to the communicative approach.

The comprehension approach emphasizes that we as humans must hear and understand language before we can speak that language. On the other hand, the communicative approach focuses on getting students talking first and foremost, and comprehension will follow.

Total Physical Response Techniques

Now we know all about total physical response, let's look at some techniques and how the method can be used in the classroom.

Although it is possible to base a whole lesson on TPR, the method is typically used to supplement and support a lesson. For example, a teacher might use TPR throughout an entire lesson to help them give instructions, introduce new vocabulary, or ask their students questions.

Lessons that are based solely on TPR are typically reserved for young learners or beginners. A typical TPR lesson could involve the teacher instructing the students to do something using imperative verbs (bossy verbs) or teaching new, basic vocabulary, such as feelings.

Other ways TPR could be used in the classroom include:

• TPR circles: A fun activity that involves students standing in a circle and copying movements from the teacher or each other. Many rules and variations can be added, such as "last student to do the action must sit down."

• Simon Says: This is a fun and easy game that can efficiently utilize TPR.

• TPR and Sounds: Sound effects can also be added to actions to make them more memorable.

Fig 2. Games involving TPR can be fun and engaging.

Total Physical Response Examples

Let's look at the steps of an example lesson plan that uses total physical response to teach new vocabulary to young beginner learners.

Alternatively, for more complex vocabulary, students can be provided with a simple student-friendly definition of a word and then asked to create an action for the word themselves. This gives students a sense of autonomy and ownership over the word and hopefully makes them more likely to remember it.

Total Physical Response Advantages and Disadvantages

Let's finish with some advantages and disadvantages of using total physical response in the classroom.

Some advantages include:

• Fun and engaging

• Makes connections between movement and language

• Gets students moving

• Good for kinesthetic learners (i.e., those who learn by doing)

• Requires little pre-planning

• Engages the right and left sides of the brain

• Memorable

• A good technique for mixed-ability classes

On the other hand, some disadvantages include:

• Shy students may get embarrassed
• Not always suitable for older students
• TPR actions themselves are nonstandardized, meaning one teacher may use one action for a word, and one teacher may use another
• Should be used alongside other teaching methods
• Best for beginners and for introducing vocabulary and instructions. It doesn't cover grammar and sentence structures.