What is characteristic of a Total Physical Response approach in language instruction?

The Total Physical Response (TPR) approach to language instruction is grounded in the idea of linking physical movement with language learning. This method involves students responding to verbal commands with physical actions, which helps facilitate understanding and retention of the language. Teaching basic cooking vocabulary through command and demonstration exemplifies this approach, as it requires students to not only listen to the vocabulary being taught but also to act upon it. For example, when a teacher gives commands related to cooking, students physically perform the actions, thereby reinforcing their comprehension through movement and engagement.

This tactile and interactive method is effective for language acquisition, especially in the early stages, as it caters to kinesthetic learners and helps create a more immersive learning environment, allowing students to associate language with concrete actions rather than abstract concepts.