The Total Physical Response (TPR) method is an intuitive and effective approach to language teaching, especially in dual-language immersion programs. This article explores why TPR is so well-suited for helping young learners develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in a second language.
Total Physical Response (TPR) Used in Bilingual Education Mirrors Natural Language Learning
TPR was developed by Dr. James Asher in the 1960s after studying how babies naturally acquire their first language. Babies learn to understand and name their world by watching the gestures and movements of their caregivers, then imitating what they see. By applying this natural process to bilingual education, TPR helps create fluent bilingualists.
How is Total Physical Response Employed in Bilingual Education?
TPR pairs language with physical actions. For example, in a Spanish immersion classroom, a teacher might say “toca tu cabeza” (touch your head) while touching their own head. The students copy the gesture and, through repetition, learn that the words mean “touch your head.” This method builds understanding through active participation.
Total Physical Response (TPR) Is a Low-stress Approach to Bilingual Education
One of the main benefits of Total Physical Response (TPR) is that it creates a low-stress learning environment. Students are encouraged to focus on listening and following commands without the immediate pressure to speak. This allows them to internalize vocabulary and sentence structures in a fun, memorable way.
Combining Bilingual Education and Total Physical Response (TPR) Boosts Confidence
In bilingual immersion programs where languages like Spanish, Mandarin or any other language are taught alongside English, TPR can play a crucial role. It fosters a relaxed learning environment, encouraging students to be active participants and giving them the confidence to eventually speak in their new language.
Using TPR in Bilingual Immersion Schools
Jump! Immersion Language School incorporates TPR into bilingual education providing a multisensory learning experience that engages both the mind and body, creating bilingualists and setting students up for long-term success in a global world.
Jump! Immersion School: Total Physical Response (TPR) in Action
If you’d like more information on Jump! please visit us at jumpimmersion.com. Or schedule a tour of one of our four schools in New Jersey by clicking here.