The effect of total physical response on improving vocabulary acquisition when applied in teenagers’ remedial classes at “Luisa Cordero High School”

Abstract

According to different studies, vocabulary is considered a key element when learning a second language because it directly influences the development of the four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. This research aimed to find out the impact of Total Physical Response (TPR) in vocabulary acquisition during remedial classes, and its influence in the development of the four skills. The treatment consisted of teaching participants vocabulary trough TPR, which was performed as a warming up and closing activities, then the regular class based on the course’s syllabi was taught. Pre and post-tests were administered in order to measure the impact of the treatment and the data collected was analyzed using multivariate statistical analyses and t-tests; interviews were held in order to collect information about participants’ perceptions of the treatment. The results show that the treatment is effective for vocabulary acquisition in remedial classes as well as having a positive impact in the development of the four skills.