total physical response
Based on the psychological concept of "trace theory", the Total Physical Response method (TPR) is centered around the idea that memory is increased if it is connected with a physical movement (Brown & Lee, 2015). Similar to the Series and Direct Methods, TPR is intended to mimic childhood native language acquisition - children's speech and listening is often accompanied by activities such as reaching, moving, grabbing, or looking (Brown & Lee, 2015). TPR instructs learners to carry out an activity or movement in an imperative phrase, such as "go to the window" etc. As learners progress, more complex instructions will follow. Similar to childhood language learning, learners would eventually gain confidence in their understanding and begin to attempt speaking the language and ask and respond to questions. Some of the benefits of TPR is that it creates a less anxious and stressful environment for the learners, and is well suited for young students learning a new language (Al Harrasi, 2014). The biggest drawbacks to TPR is the need for a qualified instructor who is well versed in TPR theory, and the use of specialized materials and textbooks (Al Harrasi, 2014).
Pros:
Cons:
Pros:
- mimics childhood language acquisition
- attempt at building skills for a less intimidating learning experience
- student-centered; students progress as they gain and improve their skills
Cons:
- reliance on specialized training for the instructor
- students may progress at different paces, which can lead to difficulty in conventional school environments
- students are trained to respond to commands, but are not expected to produce language until ready
- students may easily tire of the novelty of moving and performing actions.