There are a variety of ways to teach the English language. One effective method of teaching beginner proficient level English language learners is called Total Physical Response (TPR).
Giving commands and performing actions is the main technique of TPR. In this method, the teacher initially teaches three simple commands and models each command along with the students. The students are expected to listen to the teacher and perform the command. They are not expected to speak. For example, the teacher states, “Walk.” and demonstrates walking. The students listen to the teacher and the teacher and students all walk together around the classroom.
Commands comprise of meaningful words and phrases the student hears in the classroom. Examples of commands include simple verbs such as walk, read, write, open, close, draw, color, line up, raise your hand, etc.
After the students have mastered the initial three commands based on the teacher and students modeling the commands together, the teacher then states the same commands, but refrains from physically demonstrating them. The students follow each command while the teacher either stands or sits. Once the students have successfully performed each command based on the teacher’s utterances, the teacher then adds three new commands and demonstrates each command with the students. After the students have learned these commands by performing each command with their teacher, the teacher then states each command without performing it. The students follow the teacher’s directions.
After the students have learned a list of commands, the teacher makes learning more challenging by expanding the command. Examples of expanding a command are “Walk to the door.”, “Line up at the door.”, “Write your name.”, “Open the book.”, “Close the window.”, etc. Initially, the teacher performs each command and the students follow each command with their teacher. When the students have learned the commands, the teacher says each command while refraining from modeling it. The students follow each direction while the teacher either stands or sits.
When students feel ready to speak, they can state commands for their teacher and peers to perform. TPR is an excellent method for teaching students who are experiencing the silent period. Students’ affective filters remain low because they are not required to speak until they feel comfortable in doing so.
TPR focuses on students’ success. Before implementing TPR, it is important that students are fluent in the classroom vocabulary that the teacher is adding to each command
The teacher must change the sequence of commands, so students do not memorize the commands based on their sequential order.
TPR is an effective method for teaching beginner proficient students. Receptive skills or listening skills are naturally acquired before productive or speaking skills. TPR works because listening comprehension is the focus. This method develops ELLs’ basic interpersonal communication skills (BICS) because the teacher uses simple one word commands or simple phrases. The demonstration of each command ensures students’ understanding of the language being used. Evaluating students’ understanding is easily done by observing the students’ actions.