Total Physical Response is a language-teaching method developed by psychologist James Asher in the 1960s, in which beginning learners respond to spoken commands in the target language with physical actions, such as standing, pointing or miming, before being asked to speak themselves, on the theory that this mirrors how a young child acquires its first language by understanding long before producing speech. It is used mainly with beginners and young learners, often alongside other methods rather than as a complete curriculum on its own.
Facts
Central QuestionHow can learners understand and respond to commands in the target language through whole-body action? 1 Most Effective ForBeginners and young learners, though usable at all levels and ages 1 Classification
Education Level Total Physical Response
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Source Comprehension Approach (Wikipedia)
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1. Wikipedia: Total physical response
Opening section
In TPR, instructors give commands to students in the target language with body movements, and students respond with whole-body actions.
Reception section
It is popular with beginners and with young learners, although it can be used with students of all levels and all age groups.
Lead
It is popular with beginners and with young learners, although it can be used with students of all levels and all age groups.
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Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Comprehension Approach, BodyQuote, Includes: Comprehension Approach, Body
The comprehension-based methodology most commonly found in classrooms is Asher's Total Physical Response approach; Krashen and Terrell's Natural Approach has not been widely applied.
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