James Asher, an American professor, developed a language teaching approach known as Total Physical Response (TPR) in the 1960s. This method suggests that memory improves when linked with physical movements.

TPR-based activities help children learn language through movements. These activities complement the classroom curriculum, and are both engaging and enjoyable.

We may not always think of TPR, but many games have TPR principles built in, like “Simon Says” or “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”. For example, TPR can be applied in learning Mandarin:

TPR enhances both short-term and long-term memory. When we learn to ride a bike, we always remember how, regardless of the years that have passed. We might need a quick refresher, but the skills remain.

TPR offers several benefits, such as helping learners understand target languages and supporting long-term retention in a stress-free way. This method can teach vocabulary related to actions, classroom directions, and storytelling. Teachers plan lessons with TPR to encourage engagement and improve listening fluency. Once learners have enough listening fluency, they start speaking the target language. Below is an example of TPR in the classroom.

You can read more at Total Physical Response (TPR).

Understanding Individual learning?

Individual learning is closely related to differentiated instruction. While differentiated instruction focuses on flexible grouping of children, individualized instruction emphasizes the needs of each child. Good classrooms balance both differentiated methods and individualized learning to create an engaging and stimulating learning environment.

Why is individualized instruction important?

Meeting the varied needs of children can be a daunting task for educators. It takes more planning and assessment of student progress, but the benefits far outweigh the cons. Individualized instruction prepares children to become active and effective learners, developing the skills needed to be lifelong learners in an ever-evolving world. With the varied aptitude levels of children, individualized instruction uses their differences to increase morale, retain information, and enhance engagement in learning.

Starting the Process?

There are five essential steps to creating a successful individual learning classroom:

Setting specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely goals
Goals should be challenging
Setting goals that are dynamic and reviewed regularly
Letting students own their progress
Active Parent Involvement

What are some methods to individualize learning?

Teachers plan carefully and collaboratively to ensure they use meaningful data to gain insights on how individual children progress toward a goal. Shifting away from lengthy whole-group lessons to more play-based centers and inquiry-based projects allows for strategic use of current technological resources. Teachers design engaging lessons that tap into the natural curiosity of each child.

Providing opportunities for children to approach their learning in various ways offers more chances to retain information, improving morale and excitement for learning.

What are the benefits of individual learning?

Individualized learning allows students to learn at their own pace with teacher direction. They still work towards rigorous and challenging learning outcomes, but they are provided with a variety of ways to demonstrate their learning that lead to positive outcomes.

It’s all in the way we learn…Total Physical Response (TPR)

Focusing on individual learning needs improves learning outcomes

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