B. Total Physical Response TPR
1. Definition of TPR
According to Richard and Rodgers in their book, total physical response TPR is a language teaching method built around the coordination
of speech and action; it attempts to teach language through physical motor activity. Developed by James Asher, a professor of psychology at San Jose
State University, California, it draws on several traditions, including developmental psychology, learning theory, and humanistic pedagogy, as
well as on language teaching procedures proposed by Harold and Dorothy Palmer in 1925.
24
“Total physical response method was developed in order to reduce the stress people feel when studying foreign languages and thereby
encourage students to persist in their study beyond a beginning level of proficiency
”.
25
Furthermore “many people believe that total physical response is
only appropriate for children since the method relies on imperatives. However, Ashers believe that the method can be used to teach any foreign
language not only to children but also adults ”.
26
On the basis of his research, “Asher reasoned that the fastest, least stressful way to achieve understanding
of any target language is to follow directions uttered by the instructor without native language translation
”.
27
“Total physical response TPR consists basically of obeying commands given by the instructor that involve
on overt physical response. The instructor, for example, says “stand up” and
the classes stand up. The commands become more complex as the class
24
Jack C. Richard and Theodore S. Rodgers, Approaches’ and Methods in Language
Teaching, Cambridge: Cambridge University, 1992, p. 87.
25
Diane Larsen Freeman, Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching, New York: Oxford University Press, 2000, p. 113.
26
Ag. Bambang Setiyadi, Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Yogyakarta: Graha Ilmu, 2006, p. 126.
27
Diane Larsen Freeman, Techniques and Principles …, p. 108.
progresses, and Ashers claims that it quite possible to embed vast amounts of syntax into the form of a command
”.
28
From the definition above, the writer has opinion about total physical response; this method involves physical activity in act the verb in using
imperative sentences. Total physical response help the students improve their ability in imperative sentences because the students enjoy in teaching and
learning process in the classroom.
2. Approach of Total Physical Response
a. Theory of Language
Asher does not directly discuss the nature of language or how languages are organized. However, the labeling and ordering of TPR
classroom drills seem to be built on assumptions that owe much to structuralist or grammar-based views of language. Asher states that most of
the grammatical structure of the target language and hundreds of vocabulary items can be learned from the skillful use of the imperative by the instructor
1977: 4. He views the verb and particularly the verb in the imperative, as the central linguistic motif around which language use and learning are
organized. Despite Ashers belief in the central role of comprehension in language learning, he does not elaborate on the relation between
comprehension, production, and communication he has no theory of speech acts or their equivalents, for example, although in advanced TPR lessons
imperatives are used to initiate different speech acts, such as requests John, ask Mary to walk to the door, and apologies Ned, tell Jack youre sorry.
29
28
Stephen D. Krashen, Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition, Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1982, p. 140.
29
Jack C. Richard and Theodore S. Rodgers, Approaches’ and Methods …, p. 88.
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