Luisa Mª Palacios MarotoCarlos Sánchez Garrido.

Elena Moreno Fuentes

TPR. Total Physical Response Approach and Activities in the Language Classroom.

DefinitionDefinitionTPR is an approach to TPR is an approach to

teaching a Second Language teaching a Second Language based on based on listeninglistening and linked and linked to to physical actionsphysical actions which are which are designed to reinforce designed to reinforce comprehension of particular comprehension of particular basic items.basic items.

Introduction.Introduction.The originsThe origins

• Dr. James J. Asher developed for first time the Total Physical Response (TPR) approach.

•He wondered why so many people had problems learning a Second Language.

The answer is related to the methodology The answer is related to the methodology used and the stress produced by theused and the stress produced by the

process of learning the L2.process of learning the L2.

WHY?WHY?

• Creation of a stress-free approach in L2 enviroment which was similar to L1 learning.

•In L1, very young learners respond physically to parents’ commands.

The The solution!solution!

Asher’s results• Effective for

children and adults.

• Used in several languages.

• Improvement of listening skills.

• Higher effectiveness than on traditional based programmes in initial steps.

•TPR works because it is an excellent way of providing students with comprenhensible input.

•The teacher’s movement provides the background knowledge that makes the command more understandable.

Brain lateralization

LEFT SIDELEFT SIDE RIGHT SIDERIGHT SIDE

AnalizeAnalize

CritisizeCritisize

DiscussDiscuss

ExplainExplain

Talk Talk

TellTell

ActAct

DrawDraw

GamesGames

GesturesGestures

MetaphorMetaphor

PhysicalPhysicalmovementmovement

Brain SwitchingBrain Switching

• Techiques that allow students to switchswitch both sides of the brain

• New materials are internalized in the right side of the brain through TPR activities. Part related to physical movement.

• Verbal exercices of speaking, reading and writing allow the student to switch and use both sides of the brain.

MythsMyths* TPR only work with beginning

students.*Adults’ results with TPR outperfom

children, but children acquire nearly native-like pronuntiation.

* TPR is only limited to the imperative. – Although imperative it is the “golden

tense”, TPR can deal with other grammatical features.

* TPR is only limited to beginning students. This strategy facilitates the acquisition of vocabulary in all stages.

TPR CharacteristicsTPR Characteristics• Bringing language to life.

• Facilitator.

• Instant understanding of the target language.

• Long- term retention.

• Stress-free.

Types of TPR activitiesTypes of TPR activities• TPR-BTPR-B: TPR with body. Everything

that can be done with body movement: “stand up, sit down…”

• TPR-OTPR-O: TPR with objects. Sitting on a table that has some objects: “show me, give me…”

• TPR-PTPR-P: “TPR with pictures” Flashcards

• TPRSTPRS. TPR story telling.

Roles in the activitiesRoles in the activities

• Activities should be supported by visual materials in some cases•Use of common objects, realia, charts

• Instructor• Decider• Organizer and preparation of activities• Creator of the detailed lesson planned• Director of turn taking and interaction• Feedback provider• Tolerant for errors

• Listener • Performer• Work individually & collectively• Little influence in the content• Little production• Self monitoring• Self assesment• Krashen’s Silent Period

MaterialTeacherLearner

TPR and Language skillsTPR and Language skills• Listening: Main skill trained.

• Writing: some writing (of useful information chunks) is included without noticing.

• Speaking: it may appear either in a spontaneous way or being deliberately introduced through TPR- S.

PROS. PROS. && CONS.CONS.

• Students acquire good pronuntiation

• Learnt things will be in Long Term Memory

• Teachers don’t like it because usually doesn’t happend what they expected

• Students are not aware of their learning process

TPR ExampleTPR Example

The jungle

TTwwiisstteerr

All my lovingAll my loving

GiveGive meme fivefive!!

IfIf youyou areare happyhappy……

HankerchiefHankerchief

MimeMime

A was an Apple PieA was an Apple Pie

ConclusionConclusion

• TPR activities can be used in allall stages.

• TPR activities are the best way to acquire vocabularyvocabulary and commandscommands.

• They facilitate quick memorizationmemorization.• They are funnyfunny.• They are “easy to prepareeasy to prepare”, depending

on the activity.

ConclusionConclusion

• There are no boundaries between TPRTPR and game-likegame-like activities.

• Highly-motivating.Highly-motivating.• Total involvementinvolvement on the part of the

teacherteacher.• Inmediate feedbackfeedback.

Appropriate(Would you use

it?)

VocabularyVocabularyPronunciatio, vovabularyActionsVerbsBody parts,

coloursAnimals,

commandsActionslearnt / revisedthings

15 min.20-25 min15 min.5 min5 min.5 min15-20 min.15 min.5 minRealisation Time

Funny, repetition of sounds (little

speaking)

InteractionTopic

introducer, motivating, fun.

Comments

HighMediumHighHighLowMediumHighMediumLowPreparation Time

- feedback

- Choice

- Information gap

Communication:

Upper- IntermediateAdvancedLow

IntermediateBegginerBeginnerBeginnerBeginnerBeginnerBeginnerLevel of activity

Reading, ListeningReadingListeningReading,

listeningListening,

little writingListening,Listening &

Little Reading

ListeningListeningSkills practised

A was an Apple pieMimeHandkerchiefIf you’re

happy…Give me

five !All my LovingTwisterThe JungleBasic TPRName of activity

ThanksThanks forfor youryour

attentionattention andand

participation

participation!!