Total Physical Response Method

Total Physical Response Method

Total Physical Response is a language learning method based on the coordination of speech and

action

It was developed by James Asher, a professor of psychology at San Jose State University, California

It is linked to the trace theory of memory, which holds that the more often or intensively a memory connection is traced, the stronger the memory will be and the human brain has a biological program for acquiring any natural language on earth

This method had to create an effective and stress-free listening period in combination with physical responses (the same way we all began learning our own native language as babies) in order to make them the safest ones to stick. Eg.: teaching vocabulary connected with actions

LARSEN-FREEMAN, D. Techniques and principles in language teaching. New York; Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986. (only for Total Physical Response)

RICHARDS, J. ; RODGERS, T. Approaches and methods in Language teaching. Cambridge:

Cambridge University Press, 1986

Norland, Deborah L. and Pruett-Said, Terry. A kaleidoscope of models and strategies for teaching English to speakers of other languages. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood, 2006