TPR Teaching Methods Used On Mandarin Class

Total Physical Response/TPR (1960s-2000s) also known as TPR , is formulated by American scholar James Asher. In this method, both language and body movement are synchronized through action responses and the use of imperative. TPR is very effective in foreign language teaching, which helps to improve student s understanding and enhance their confidence. This approach well embodies the principle of listening is before speaking .This thesis attempts to prove the effectiveness of TPR to Chinese teaching and offers empirical evidences. It collects data from in-class experiment and out-class questionnaires, and makes combined analysis.The thesis consists of 6 chapters. Chapter One reviews the theory of TPR and the relevant researches. Chapter Two identifies the supportive signal items from educational and psychological theories. Chapter Three discusses the structure of TPR and its application to linguistic studies. Chapter Four analyzes the characteristics from English and Chinese teaching as the second language. Chapter Five focuses on empirical studies and describes research findings. Chapter Six draws conclusion, and proposes problems to be researched in the future.