Total Physical Response: Getting Physical with English!

While mimes and English teachers aren't usually mentioned in the same breath, like doctor-patient or cop-robber, they actually share a pretty fundamental similarity: they both speak the language of the body. Mimes, those masters of silent storytelling, use gestures and expressions to convey everything from love stories to epic adventures without saying a word. And us English teachers? We know that a simple gesture or a raised eyebrow can say more than a thousand words. When we’re miming the perfect lasagna recipe or flailing our arms to explain the mysteries of the past perfect tense, we know, the language of the body is universal. It's the secret sauce that bridges gaps between languages and cultures.

Unlike mimes, who are all about the silent treatment, we, English teachers, can't resist throwing in a word or two during our classes. But hey, don't worry, we're not giving up on the gestures just yet! You know you're in an ESL classroom when the hand-talking reaches Italian levels. Like those expressive Italians, we can't help but add a little flair to our lessons with some serious hand choreography. We're not just teaching English; we're putting on a show. So, if you catch us waving our arms around like we're directing traffic, just know we're not auditioning for a mime role—it's all part of the magic of ESL teaching. We are really doing our best to help our students wrap their heads around tricky auxiliary verbs or remember those pesky vocabulary words.

Moreover, who needs to interrupt a perfectly good student monologue with boring old corrections? With a well-timed eyebrow raise or a subtle head shake, we can let our students know their use of articles or word choice got somewhat unconventional without even uttering a word. It's like playing charades, but with grammar and vocabulary. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Isn't this straying a bit from Total Physical Response territory?" Well, maybe, but bear with me here! Even though it's not textbook TPR, it's still worth a mention because, let's face it, it works like a charm in the wild world of language teaching.

For the uninitiated, Total Physical Response (TPR) is a language teaching method developed by Dr James Asher of San José State University around six decades ago. The approach is based on the idea of replicating the natural language learning process observed in infants and toddlers, where language acquisition is heavily supported by physical actions and gestures of good ol' mom and dad. Hey, who needs fancy gadgets or classes when you've got such a support team? Am I right? So, yes, it’s all about going back to basics, mimicking how we learned our first words as tiny humans. You know, back when we were all about the goo-goos and gaa-gaas.

And just like how parents teach their little ones to "jump" by, well, jumping themselves, TPR takes this principle and applies it to language teaching, particularly with beginner or low-level students. Picture this: you're a teacher, and you've got a class full of eager beginners who’ve never heard a word of English in their lives. How do you get them to understand basic classroom lingo? Simple! You want them to "open their books"? Well, you better believe you're going to be doing some book-opening theatrics! And when it's time to "sit down" and "get back up," you're basically a one-person show, demonstrating these moves like you're auditioning for a dance-off. It's all about turning language learning into a full-body workout, because let's face it, who needs the gym when you've got English class? Now, I'll be honest, if you're the type who prefers Netflix over marathons, this approach might have you breaking a sweat! But hey, look on the bright side: you'll remember how to say “Please sit down" like a pro.

"Is that all it’s about?" you may ask. No, the magic of TPR goes beyond teaching students to follow your instructions. The Oxford English Dictionary estimates that there are around 170,000 words in current use. We need to teach our students subtleties in meaning. This means going beyond the basics and diving into the rich tapestry of the English language. Take the simple act of standing up. Sure, anyone can do it, but why not add a little flair and jump up like you've just won the lottery? And when it's time to close that book, why not give it some extra oomph and slam it shut? This creative approach isn't just about making things more fun—it's about teaching synonyms and nuances in meaning. So, teachers, don't be afraid to get creative. Come up with new word/action pairs that will resonate with your students. Use those non-verbal cues to not only teach the vocabulary but also make sure it sticks in their minds. After all, learning should be fun, not a chore.

In a TPR lesson, students aren't just sitting back and watching the show—they're the stars of the performance. After the teacher's epic demonstration, students get their moment in the spotlight, acting out the words and repeating them like seasoned actors. This active participation isn't just for show; it's like a brain workout, engaging both hemispheres and giving those neurons a good stretch. It's like learning on steroids (the legal kind, of course). This hands-on, multi-sensory approach isn't just a gimmick; it's the real deal, helping students remember those tricky words and phrases like never before. So, get ready to jump, clap, and maybe even dance your way to English fluency.

If you've read the "How Native is ‘Native'?" post, you might have noticed the parallels between Total Physical Response and the toddler phase discussed there. If you haven’t had the pleasure yet, give it a read. TPR was my secret weapon in learning English, and no, not in some fancy classroom, but out in the wild. It did take me a few months of observation and practice to develop a usable vocabulary, but the results don’t lie. My vocabulary skyrocketed and stuck with me forever. And not just vocabulary, but also tenses and aspects. For instance, mundane everyday scenes like watching my dad tie his laces, while hearing my mom asking him why it was taking him so long, and him replying, ‘Hang on! I’m tying my shoes’ helped me learn the continuous form. So the next time I would keep my parents waiting, I would repeat my dad’s phrase to explain the holdup.

Now, don't get me wrong, TPR can work wonders, especially for drilling in those concrete concepts and everyday vocab. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Picture this: you're trying to explain the past perfect tense with TPR, but all you've got is a few random objects lying around (we call it "realia") - not exactly ideal for making such complex grammar easily comprehensible. And when it comes to rare words? Not straightforward at all. Or those quirky idioms that often do not directly translate to the students' native language? Try explaining to the cops that you were just teaching English when they slap you with arson charges for acting out "pants on fire"! So, while TPR is great for some things, it's not the magic cure for every language learning challenge.

There are a few other speed bumps on the TPR highway. For one, students with disabilities might find it tough to get in on the action. Imagine trying to teach someone in a wheelchair to mime "stumble”. And if you've got some shy or introverted students, they might feel like a fish out of water if they're pushed into the spotlight during TPR activities, possibly even ghosting your classes if they keep feeling too put on the spot. Plus, there are certain limitations that can hinder the effectiveness of this method in online settings. Try miming “jumping for joy” balancing a laptop on your lap - not impossible, but definitely precarious.

Now, here's the silver lining of online tuition - no need for a last-minute dash to the store for props. Instead, we can dive headfirst into the glorious world of internet memes and multimedia. If you're a meme connoisseur or have a treasure trove of TV and movie clips, you're in luck. These visual aids can work wonders to support the TPR approach. Picture this: a perfectly timed meme or a clip from a beloved show illustrating a complex concept. It's like adding sprinkles to your ice cream - it just makes everything better. But, a word to the wise, use these resources sparingly. Too many memes or clips and you'll have a classroom more focused on the latest viral sensation than on irregular verbs.

We're eager to hear about your experiences with Total Physical Response. Whether you're a teacher who enjoys hands-on activities or a student who considers themselves a kinaesthetic learner, we'd love to hear from you. Drop a comment in the comments section below. Your insights could help inspire others and enrich the learning journey for all!