TPR stands for Total Physical Response , a language teaching method developed by Dr. James J. Asher in the 1960s. It is based on how children learn their first language by associating spoken language with physical movement. In TPR, teachers give commands in the target language accompanied by physical actions, and students respond by performing these actions. This method emphasizes listening comprehension and reduces learner stress by not forcing immediate speech production. Instead, students gradually internalize the language through physical response until they begin to speak spontaneously

. The core principles of TPR include:

• Learning to understand spoken language before speaking.
• Using physical movement to connect language with meaning.
• Avoiding pressure on students to speak until they are ready.

TPR is effective for teaching vocabulary, especially verbs and commands, and helps learners acquire language in a natural, stress-free way. It is suitable for all ages and proficiency levels and promotes long-term retention of language through active engagement

. In practice, a teacher might say a phrase like "jump" or "look at the board" and demonstrate the action. Students then perform the action while hearing the language, which reinforces comprehension and memory. Over time, students can give commands to each other, further enhancing their language skills

. Overall, TPR creates a strong brain link between speech and action, making it a valuable tool in language classrooms, particularly for beginners and young learners