Difference between revisions of "Total Physical Response (TPR) Activities for Listening"
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# TPR activities can be adjusted for students at different language levels in the same class. | # TPR activities can be adjusted for students at different language levels in the same class. | ||
# By linking words to actions, TPR activities help students remember vocabulary and grammar better, aiding long-term retention. | # By linking words to actions, TPR activities help students remember vocabulary and grammar better, aiding long-term retention. | ||
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[[File:Tips for implementing TPR activities.png|center|thumb|1500x1500px|Some tips for planning and implementing total physical response (TPR) activities in the classroom.]] | [[File:Tips for implementing TPR activities.png|center|thumb|1500x1500px|Some tips for planning and implementing total physical response (TPR) activities in the classroom.]] | ||
Revision as of 18:10, 23 July 2024
What is Total Physical Response (TPR)?
Total Physical Response (TPR) is a way to teach languages created by Dr. James Asher in the 1960s. It combines language learning with physical movement. In TPR, teachers give commands in the language being taught, and students respond with actions. Here are the main ideas behind TPR:
- The more you practice something, the better you remember it.
- Physical actions help prepare the brain for learning language.
- Creating a fun and relaxed learning environment helps students learn better.
In a TPR classroom, teachers speak in the target language, and students respond by doing actions. This method is great for beginners and young learners because it helps them build listening skills, understand instructions and respond to the language before they start speaking it.
Why use TPR Activities for Building Listening Skills?
TPR activities can offer several advantages for developing listening skills:
- TPR activities involve students in an active way, making learning fun and memorable. This helps keep attention in large classrooms.
- Students respond with actions instead of words, which lowers stress and makes them less nervous about learning a new language.
- TPR activities use hearing, seeing, and moving, catering to different learning styles and reinforcing language through various senses.
- Teachers can see if students understand by watching their actions, giving instant feedback without formal tests.
- TPR activities need minimal resources, and can be easily conducted with limited materials or technology.
- TPR activities can be adjusted for students at different language levels in the same class.
- By linking words to actions, TPR activities help students remember vocabulary and grammar better, aiding long-term retention.
Examples of TPR Activities for Listening
1. Simon Says:
A classic TPR game where students follow commands only when prefaced with "Simon says."
Example: "Simon says touch your nose," "Simon says point to the door," "Clap your hands" (students shouldn't respond to this one).
2. Action Songs:
Use songs with accompanying actions to practice listening and movement.
Example: "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" or "The Hokey Pokey."
3. Classroom Instructions:
Practice common classroom instructions using TPR.
Example: "Open your books," "Raise your hand," "Stand up," "Sit down."
4. Story Actions:
Tell a simple story and have students act out key elements as they listen.
Example: "The boy walked to the park (students walk in place). He saw a dog (students pretend to pet a dog). The dog barked loudly (students make barking gestures)."
5. TPR Vocabulary Builder:
Teach new vocabulary through actions.
Example: For teaching animal vocabulary - "Hop like a rabbit," "Slither like a snake," "Stomp like an elephant."
6. Direction Following:
Give a series of directions for students to follow.
Example: "Stand up, walk to the door, turn around, and come back to your seat."
7. TPR Telephone:
Students form a line. Whisper a series of actions to the first student, who then performs them. The next student watches and repeats the actions, and so on down the line.
8. Object TPR:
Use classroom objects in TPR activities.
Example: "Pick up your pencil," "Open your notebook," "Point to the blackboard."
9. Emotion Charades:
Say an emotion, and have students act it out.
Example: "Show me happy," "Show me surprised," "Show me tired."
10. TPR Storytelling:
Create or use simple stories with repetitive actions that students can perform as they listen.
Example: "The hungry caterpillar crawled (students crawl fingers on desk) and ate an apple (pretend to eat), and ate a pear (pretend to eat), and ate a plum (pretend to eat)..."
These activities can be adapted to suit different proficiency levels and classroom contexts. Remember to start with simple commands and gradually increase complexity as students become more comfortable with the TPR method.