Total Physical Response (TPR) is a teaching method that combines physical actions with language instruction. It is a highly effective way to teach English to students of all ages and abilities, and it can be used just as effectively in online lessons as in face-to-face lessons.
Here are some tips for using TPR effectively in online English lessons:
- Choose the right activities. TPR works best with actions that are easy to understand and perform. Some good examples include:
- Classroom commands (e.g., stand up, sit down, open your book)
- Everyday activities (e.g., eating, drinking, brushing your teeth)
- Animals and their movements (e.g., walking, running, flying)
- Sports and games (e.g., kicking a ball, throwing a ball, hitting a ball)
- Be clear and concise. When giving instructions, use simple language and gestures. Be sure to demonstrate the action yourself before asking students to do it.
- Give students plenty of time to respond. Some students may need more time than others to process your instructions and perform the actions. Be patient and supportive.
- Make it fun! TPR should be an enjoyable experience for students. Use humor and variety to keep them engaged.
Here are some specific activities you can use to implement TPR in your online English lessons:
TPR commands: Give students simple commands in English, such as “stand up,” “sit down,” “open your book,” or “close your eyes.” Then, demonstrate the action yourself and have students repeat it. You can also play games such as “Simon Says” to practice TPR commands.
TPR storytelling: Act out a simple story while telling it in English. For example, you could act out the story of “The Three Little Pigs” or “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” Have students follow along and perform the actions with you.
TPR vocabulary: When teaching new vocabulary words, demonstrate the meaning of the word with a physical action. For example, if you are teaching the word “jump,” jump up and down. If you are teaching the word “eat,” pretend to eat something.
TPR songs and chants: There are many songs and chants that can be used to teach English vocabulary and grammar through TPR. For example, the song “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” is a great way to teach body parts. The chant “I Can Touch My Nose” is a great way to teach prepositions.
TPR games: There are also many games that can be used to practice TPR. For example, you can play “Simon Says” with TPR commands. You can also play games such as “Charades” or “Pictionary” to practice TPR vocabulary.
TPR is a powerful teaching tool that can be used to make your online English lessons more effective and engaging. By following the tips above, you can use TPR to help your students learn new vocabulary, grammar, and concepts more quickly and easily.
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