Total Physical Response (TPR) and Memory coordination in class

"The main idea is that a second language can be learned in the same way as the first using the same natural processes."

TPR 

is a method that was developed by James Asher in the late 1960s to help students acquire a second language. It has been long seen that the TPR method is a valuable tool in teaching a language especially to very young learners. At the beginning, the teacher says a single word or command such as "jump" or "point to the window", demonstrates the action and then students will be able to follow the command. This can develop into more complex language while still keeping the instruction direct and visual. "Simon says"is a classical example of TPR or "Charades" using action verbs such as: "You are playing basketball."

All you need to play these fun games is some space and a masking tape (also known as sticky tape, an easy-to-tear paper that leaves no residue on the surface to which it is applied).

This is an adapted game of:

"Please Mr Crocodile, may we cross the river?" 

In the original version the players ( except Mr Crocodile) stand next to each other on one side of the river. They chant: Please Mr Crocodile may we cross the river? If not, why not, what's your favourite colour?"

Mr Crocodile calls out one colour and any student wearing that colour is safe to cross the river on the other side. For example, if Mr Crocodile says "Green", then anyone wearing green is safe to cross/jump. 

The rest of the players not wearing green must find a way to cross the river without being caught. The player that is caught becomes next Mr Crocodile and the game continues. However, for this version you might need a bigger room. Instead, the version we played reduces itself to calling two categories (eg Numbers, Colours, or School Objects vs Hobbies). One category corresponds to the Right Riverbank, and the other to the Left Riverbank. Once they are established, the teacher calls out a sentence similar to this: "There are seven students in the class". Students immediately jump on the correct riverbank. If they get confused, or don't jump on time, they get caught by the crocodile. 

"Pelmanism"  

is a simple and popular game also known as Concentration or Memory. Cards must be in pairs ( either matching or identical concepts) and spread face down. Players take turns to play. Each player turns face up two cards. If they don't match, they must be turned face down again in the same place. Each player scores one point for each matched pair. This specific Pelmanism game used cards related to class objects and also an extra card with the corresponding spelling. In the end of the game students have visualised the vocabulary and also the written part.

"Categories"  

last version to play with the masking tape is to create different categories. Students use a soft ball they can throw and thus select a category. Afterwards they have to create complete sentences using the given category. For example, if they need to use adjectives, they have to produce sentences that include adjectives. A time limit can be used such as a Timer. They are rewarded for each correct use. This activity is better played in teams of two or four.

Enjoy the games!