TPR

= = Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE)Total Physical Response (TPR)

TPR was developed by James Asher and is described as an approach to language teaching which pairs actions with words to convey meaning (Asher, 2000). Students engage in active language learning by demonstrating their comprehension through body movements. This strategy begins with using actions words and demonstrating meaning with gestures and dramatizations. The teacher can then use it as a command and repeat with more action words (Peregoy & Boyle, 2008). In early lessons students may be directed to stand up, turn around, sit down, or clap their hands. As more complex commands follow, participants will eventually verbalize commands to the instructor and classmates (Hill and Flynn, 2006).

Berty Segal helped make this technique popular through his book //Teaching English Through Action// (1983). Segal based his idea on the framework of normal first language development and his methodology centered on the belief that writing and reading skills would be acquired after a firm foundation of listening and speaking was established (Hill & Flynn, 2008).

Why does this method work?
 * Students enjoy gamelike activities
 * Students value opportunity to develop listening skills
 * Listening skills are developed before being required to verbally produce new language
 * Kinesthetic activities improve content knowledge
 * Students can engage in "acting things out"
 * Acting out events, stories, shapes will help student generate a mental image
 * Greater chance of learning and recalling terms when using their bodies to represent shapes or angles



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References Asher, J. (2000). //Learning another language through actions: The complete teacher's guidebook (6th Ed.)// Los Gatos, CA: Sky Oaks Publications.

Hill, J.D. and Flynn, K.M. (2006). //Classroom instruction that works with english language learners.// Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Peregoy, S. and Boyle, O. (2008). //Pearson custom education: Reading, writing, and learning in esl.// Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing.