13 Haziran 2017 Salı

THE TOTAL PHYSICAL RESPONSE METHOD

“There is no the best or a better method in language teaching. Every method has advantages and disadvantages in itself.”

learning by kinesthetic body movement


















The Main Theories:

Learning/developing in the language by imperative use has a leading role in this method.

Three hypothesis are mentioned in Total Physical Response (TPR) Method:

Innate Bio-Program: It is generally about children’s language learning steps. Firstly, children develop listening abilities before talking. Then, they start to comprehend the properties of language and develop a “cognitive map” by listening process.

Brain Lateralisation: The brain has two parts: left and right hemispheres. These parts of the brain have different learning functions. If both of them are enabled, learning develops in a faster and more effective way.

Stress: Stress is a big problem in language learning. The learning will be more qualified and unproblematic as stress decreases.

The Other Features of the Total Physical Response Method:

There are two language learning periods: Silent Period (No productivity is expected) and Speaking 

Period (Productivity begins).

In silent period, children may not speak or feel ready to speak. In these cases, they mustn’t be forced to produce anything.

After a while, children are expected to speak in target language with some words.

Oral communication is all-important.

Using imperatives efficiently will help learners to acquire basic grammar rules and names of immediate environment items.

learning with body movement and verbs
Verb is viewed as the most important part of learning process. Firstly it must be acquired, then the other basics (adjectives, adverbs, nouns and etc.) are learnt when used with it.

Lifestyle and daily habits are important and they should be learned.

Teacher is the director in early stages of learning, then s/he can be directed by learners.

Student is a follower in early stages, after a while they can attend the class actively, speak and direct the teacher by some imperatives.

Teacher-whole group, teacher-student and student-student interactions are seen in classes.

Vocabulary is taught by imperatives. Verbs play a leading role.

Grammar can be taught with imperatives in sentences skillfully by the teacher.

E.g. For the introduction of “when” conjunction.
Teacher: "Smile when you sit down."
Teacher: “Sit down!”
(Students smile.)       

Mostly, objects around the classrom, texts and kinaesthetic learning tas kare used as materials.

Meaning is prior to the form in TPR.

When it is necessary, students’ native language can be used in early stages.

Teacher makes the evaluation by their performing series of commanded actions.

learning with body movement and entertainment












The main goal is to make students enjoy the class and have lower stress.

Errors are natural and tolerated by the teacher. In early stages, they can be ignored but in late stages, minor mistakes can be corrected politely.

Commands, role reversals (among even the teacher and students) action series are used as efficient techniques.

An ideal example for “series of action”:
   “Point to the board”
   “Come to the board”
   “Touch to the board.”

Natural order of skills idea in TPR: 1- Listening, 2- Speaking, 3- Reading, 4- Writing.


Summarizing Keywords/Phrases:

Imperatives
Learning language  by body movements
Kinesthesis
Silent Period
Speaking Period
Stress-free atmosphere
Children