TPR – Total Physical Response

TPR: “Total Physical Response”

Though TPR as originated by James Asher (Asher’s Site) became popular in the 1970s, it has been used widely in many languages since. It claims that “the human brain has a biological program for acquiring any natural language on earth.”

Others have noted that TPR follows a general human pattern of learning and so have redesignated TPR as “T” – Tune in; “P” – Process; and “R” – Respond.

Further Interest

• TPR Curriculum for Adults

• TPR Background & Resources
• Wikipedia Overview

• Wikipedia: TPR Storytelling; YouTube: Storytelling

• TPR Stories
• 502 Words that Can Be Learned with Total Physical Response (TPR), By Domain

Instructing your Language Helper how to do TPR

OPTIONS

1. Follow “Look and Listen” to do TPR: (1) the learner-leader acts out the verbs one by one, asking the LH to tell the whole group to do what that learner-leader demonstrated; all do it in response to the LH’s commands; (2) the LH says the commands one by one (without the learner-leader doing the action first), the group does the actions as commanded; (optional; 3) The LH does an action him/herself saying any one of the verbal commands; the group says “yes” or “no” accordingly. Add new verbs one by one.

2. Draw pictures of the actions. Learn the verbs on the pictures using Look and Listen. Then ask the LH to command you to do the actions on the pictures. Be sure it is the ‘command form’ (the imperative) of the verb.

3. Give the LH a list of verbs. Tell him/her that you’d like him/her to tell/command you to do those verbs, but since you don’t know them yet, would s/he also do the action as s/he tells you to do them. Also tell him/her to start with 1, then 2, then add a new verb one by one, slowly mixing up what you already know.

Total Physical Response Techniques

Total Physical Response techniques are another excellent way to begin working with your LH, for they re-activate the brain’s language learning capacity. You begin to associate words directly with items and actions, not with English. You also begin to “sense” the language and to “internalize” basic grammar (word order, etc.) Also, anxiety is kept low.

With the Total Physical Response techniques you respond to commands spoken in the target language. The Physical Response techniques enable you:

• To make mental associations between forms and meanings
• To build comprehension vocabulary quickly
• To build listening comprehension skills without vocal interference
• To avoid translating from your own language to the target language
• To begin assimilating basic sentence and sound patterns

Guidelines

• Plan your session thoroughly in advance. This method will not be successful if you just make it up as you go along.
• Demonstrate this technique to the LH so s/he understands what you are trying to listen and respond to.
• Try to associate each command with the appropriate action without translating into your own language.
• Have the LH repeat the commands many times in random order so you get lots of practice. It is important to repeat things often enough to learn them well.
• Respond as quickly as possible, so the response becomes naturally connected to the command.
• Record your session with the LH so you can listen to the tape later and practice your responses. Keep reviewing previous lessons.

TPR Activity Ideas

“The following is a first list of just some of the words that can easily be learned using TPR. It is exemplary, not comprehensive, and can be used as a start to make of list of 1,000 or even 2,000 words. A few of the words are culture/county specific but you can replace them with things from where you are.”