Total Physical Response (TPR) is a language teaching method/technique built around the coordination of speech and action; it attempts to teach language through physical (motor) activity . TPR reflects a grammar based view of language ‘’most of the grammatical structure of the target language and hundreds of vocabulary items can be learned from the skillful use of the imperative by the instructor. I have my own reason why I choose this technique (Total Physical Response). First, it will make the students more active, fun, comfortable, and keep their brain, soul, and mind still fresh and also will help them to find the meaning from the new vocabulary. Second, students develop listening competence before they develop the ability to speak. There are sveral advantages from this technique. First, successfull with children and adults learning any language. Second, three strong features, high-speed understanding for any target of language, long-term retention, and zero stress. And the last is another unusual feature:enjoyable for teacher as well as students. The disadvantages of this technique/method are some students may feel embarrassed, you can not teaching averything with it, and it is used mostly for begginers.
The jigsaw strategy is a cooperative learning technique appropriate for students from 3rd to 12th grade. It is also used extensively in adult English Second Language (or ESL) classes. The strategy is an efficient teaching method that also encourages listening, engagement, interaction, peer teaching, and cooperation by giving each member of the group an essential part to play in the academic activity. Both individual and group accountability are built into the process. In ESL classrooms jigsaws are a four-skills approach integrating reading, speaking, listening and writing. There are some advantages of this technique. First, teacher is not the sole provider of knowledge, and efficient way to learn. Second, students take ownership in the work and achievement. Third, students are held accountable among their peers and learning revolves around interaction with peers. And tle last, students are active participants in the learning process and builds interpersonal and interactive skills.
There are several disadvantages of jigsaw technique that I provide in my lesson plans. First, misunderstanding the content and a lack of participation. It is possible a group of students researching could get distracted and be led down a path not intended by the teacher. This could lead to the whole group not learning the correct information and, in turn, be behind the rest of the class. Another problem in any group situation is when a student does not hold his/her weight in the responsibilities. A lack of participation by one or more student in a group would lead to either, 1) the other students in the group have to cover his/her material and have more work or, 2) the group being with out that student's responsibility. Both of these would hinder the group's productivity rather than help them learn in a different way. On the other hand, this technique also uneven time in expert time; students must be trained in this method of learning; requires an equal number of groups; and classroom management can become a problem.
Principles of the approaches/ method are theory of language and learning include the bio-program, brain lateralization, and reduction of stress.
