Talk:Total physical response

Article
The method relies on the assumption that when learning a second or additional language, that language is internalized through a process of codebreaking similar to first language development and that the process allows for a long period of listening and developing comprehension prior to production. Students respond to commands that require physical movement.

I agree with the basic gist of these sentences, but I think the details make them a bit misleading. Using the word "assumption" makes it seem like this is just a guess on the part of James Asher, whereas in reality it has been backed up by numerous studies, and agrees with the ideas of Stephen Krashen, which are backed up by even more studies. And I think the use of the word "codebreaking" is not a good idea, as it makes it sound like learning with TPR is really hard, when in fact it is the opposite. In his book "Learning Another Language Through Actions" (I lent it to a friend so I can't check the page numbers) Asher likens grammar-based learning methods to code-breaking because they are so hard, and says that this sort of study vary rarely leads to real langauge acquisition. TPR, on the other hand, is instantly understood - the actions the instructor performs immediately makes the meaning clear. I also think Asher's idea of the right brain instantly comprehending the meaning of the words through the actions that are performed should be included. How about this instead:

In TPR, students respond to commands in the target language that require physical movement. Beginner students are allowed a long "silent" period of responding to the instructor's commands before production of speech occurs. Production is not forced, but rather appears naturally after this period, which is usually between 10 and 20 hours of TPR instruction. The students learn the language by responding correctly to commands slightly more difficult than ones they already understand well. The method is in harmony with Stephen Krashen's theory that language is only acquired when students are presented with comprehensible input. In addition, the association of commands with physical actions ensures long-term retention of knowledge, an effect which Asher attributes to the right hemisphere of the brain instantly comprehending the commands' meanings. Asher contrasts this with the analytical understanding achieved by the left hemisphere of the brain when using grammar-based language learning methods, which is often forgotten as soon as the student leaves the classroom.

Hmm, reading this, maybe the left- and right-hemisphere talk can be moved to another section?

Gypsyjiver 07:52, 24 June 2007 (UTC). Edited —  Mr. Stradivarius ♫ 12:11, 7 October 2010 (UTC)

Requested move

 * The following discussion is an archived discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. No further edits should be made to this section. 

The result of the move request was: page moved by silent consensus.   A rbitrarily 0   ( talk ) 14:18, 15 October 2010 (UTC)

Total physical response → Total Physical Response — Total Physical Response is a proper noun and a registered trademark, so it should be capitalized. See http://www.tpr-world.com for details. —  Mr. Stradivarius ♫ 12:21, 7 October 2010 (UTC)
 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on this talk page. No further edits should be made to this section.

Other media that uses the method
Is the VR game Language Lab using this method? If so, it could be included in this article. Volumemy (talk) 14:18, 1 April 2024 (UTC)