Total Physical Response (TPR)

One of the most common goals of language students is to be able to recognize and respond to as much words as possible. Certain individuals claim they have achieved this, with little effort and in such a short length of time. Some have even learned around 500 words in as little as 20 hours worth of studying.

This, according to them, was done through the use of Total Physical Response. In this blog, we take a look at Total Physical Response and how to learn words using it.

What is Total Physical Response?

Total Physical Response, or TPR, is a language learning method based on the coordination between oral communication and physical movements. TPR was created to aid students in easily learning words in their chosen language.

TPR is primarily based on one principle: Listening should be developed first before speaking. This principle can be seen in children as they recognize and respond to words before doing and eventually speaking them. When a person has developed his listening skills, his speaking skills will soon follow naturally.

How to Learn Words Using TPR

Here are some steps to help you learn your first words using Total Physical Response. You may want to ask your language teacher to help you with these steps in one of your sessions.

• First, choose a basic verb in your chosen language. For instance, if you are learning Spanish, you can focus on the word for “stand” in Spanish.
• Next, ask your teacher to speak the word for “stand” in Spanish. Your teacher should stand up after saying the word.
• You should then subsequently stand up. You do not have to speak the word at this point.
• Do these steps a number of times until you feel that you have recognized and you can respond to the word quickly.
• Next, do the same steps using a different verb. You can use words such as “sit”, “walk”, or “jump”.
• Try doing a combination of the two words you have learned. For example, your teacher can say “stand” and stand up and say “sit” and sit down, while you follow each move.

When you have learned to respond to a few words, your teacher can simply say the word without doing it. Upon hearing the word, you would respond to it by doing its equivalent action. This, essentially, is how you learn words using TPR.

Things to Remember about TPR

• Total Physical Response should only be an additional part of your language course. It should not be used as the sole means of learning a language.
• Recording and reviewing your previous session can help you learn a larger number of new words during your next TPR session.