Which method has teachers giving commands in the target language and students responding with whole-body actions, without explicit grammar instruction?

• A. Total Physical Response (TPR)
• B. Grammar-Translation Method
• C. Interactionist Theory
• D. Content-Based Approaches

Answer: (A)

Total Physical Response uses the teacher giving commands in the target language and learners responding with whole-body actions, with no explicit grammar instruction. This approach relies on listening and physical movement to form language associations, so vocabulary and structures are absorbed implicitly through repetition and action rather than through rule-based explanation.

That’s why it fits best: the defining feature is the command-and-action dynamic that ties language directly to movement, helping beginners understand meaning before producing formal grammar. In contrast, the Grammar-Translation Method centers on translating texts and teaching explicit grammar rules; the idea of students acting out commands isn’t its hallmark. Interactionist Theory is a broader idea about how meaning is negotiated through social interaction, not a specific classroom technique focused on movement. Content-Based Approaches teach language through subject matter content, which may involve meaningful tasks but not the kinesthetic command-response format that characterizes TPR.