Developed by James Asher, which method is an example of a comprehension-based approach that uses physical actions to teach language?

• A. Interactionist Theory
• B. Natural Approach
• C. Grammar-Translation Method
• D. Total Physical Response (TPR)

Answer: (D)

Total Physical Response is a comprehension-based language teaching method that uses physical actions to teach meaning. In this approach, learners listen to commands in the target language and respond by performing the specified actions. The emphasis is on understanding first—students demonstrate they understand through movement before they are encouraged to speak. This mirrors natural language learning, reduces anxiety, and helps beginners build solid comprehension before production. As learners become more confident with meaning, they begin to produce language, but the initial focus remains on listening and responding physically to commands.

Other options describe different ideas or methods that don’t center on action-based command-response learning by James Asher. For example, theories like interactionist approaches and the Natural Approach prioritize understanding through meaningful interaction and input, respectively, rather than the physical-action framework; and the Grammar-Translation Method relies on translation and explicit grammar rules rather than comprehension through movement.