Total Physical Response is a language teaching method developed by James Asher that uses physical actions in response to verbal commands. In TPR, the instructor gives commands in the target language and students respond with whole-body motions. It is based on the idea that language acquisition in children involves comprehending language before producing it. TPR lessons focus on drilling imperative sentences and limiting new vocabulary at once with little error correction. While engaging for beginners, it is mainly suitable for introductory levels and criticized for its limitations in developing more advanced skills.

1. Total Physical Response

2. Presented By :
• Doni Wahyu WIjayanto (11620081)
• Restu Ridofi (11620048)
• Wahyu Fitroni Ardiyansyah (12620174)
• Edi Subekti(11620005)
Total Physical Response

3.  Total Physical Response is a language learning method based on
the coordination of speech and action.
 It was developed by James Asher, a professor of psychology at
San Jose State University, California.
 In TPR, instructors give commands to students in the target
language, and students respond with whole-body actions.
 TPR is often criticized as being only suitable for beginning
students or young learner
Total Physical Response

4. James Asher developed the total physical
response method as a result of his observation of
the language development of young children.
Asher saw that most of the interactions that
young children experience with parents or other
adults combine both verbal and physical aspects.
The child responds physically to the speech of
the parent, and the parent reinforces the child’s
responses through further speech.
Total Physical Response

5. Asher does not directly adress his view of
language, but Richards and Rodgers state
that the labeling and ordering of
classroom activities seem to be build on
The structural view of language.
Total Physical Response

6.  Second language learning is parallel to first language learning
and should reflect the same naturalistic processes
 Listening should develop before speaking
 Children respond physically to spoken language, and adult
learners learn better if they do that too
 Once listening comprehension has been developed, speech
devlops naturally and effortlessly out of it.
 Adults should use right-brain motor activities, while the left
hemisphere watches and learns
 Delaying speech reduces stress
Total Physical Response

7. Here are some of the objectives of TPR :
 Teaching oral proficiency at a beginning level
 Using comprehension as a means to speaking
 Using action-based drills in the imperative form
TPR uses a sentence-based grammatical syllabus.
Total Physical Response

8.  Learners in Total Physical Response have the
primary roles of listener and performer. They
listen attentively and respond physically to
commands given by the teacher.
 Learners are required to respond both
individually and collectively. Learners have
little influence over the content of learning,
since content is determined by the teacher,
who must follow the imperative-based format
for lessons.
Total Physical Response

9. The teacher plays an active and direct
role in TPR.
It is the teacher who decides what
to teach, who models and presents
the new materials and who selects
supporting materials for classroom
use. The teacher is encouraged to
be well prepared and well
organized so that the lesson flows
smoothly and predictably.
Total Physical Response

10. • There is generally no basic text in a Total
Physical Response course
• For absolute beginners, lessons may not
require the use of materials, since the
teacher's voice, actions, and gestures may
be a sufficient basis for classroom
activities
Total Physical Response

11.  The majority of class time in TPR lessons is spent doing drills
in which the instructor gives commands using the imperative
tense.
 Instructors limit the number of new vocabulary items given to
students at any one time.
 While drills using the imperative are the mainstay of total
physical response classes, teachers can use other activities as
well.
 There is little error correction in TPR. Asher advises teachers
to treat learners’ mistakes the same way a parent would treat
their children’s.
 According to Asher, “It is wise to write out the exact
utterances you will be using because the action is so fast-
moving there is usually not time for you to create
spontaneously.”
Total Physical Response

12. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Students who are not used to
such things might find it
• ESL activities with TPR are
embarrassing.
tremendous fun for students,
This can be the case initially
even for grown ups once they
but I have found that if the
become less self-conscious.
teacher is prepared to perform
the actions.
• Simple TPR activities do not
• It is only really suitable for
require a great deal of
beginner levels. It is clear that
preparation on the part of the
it is far more useful at lower
teacher. TPR is aptitude-free,
levels because the
working well with a mixed
target language lends it self to
ability class, and with students
such activities.
having various disabilities.
Total Physical Response

13. Total Physical Response