Which method involves learners physically responding to commands in the target language?

• A. Discourse
• B. Behaviorism
• C. Total physical response
• D. Contextualized

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is using physical actions to reinforce listening and understanding in the target language. This method, Total Physical Response, has learners listening to commands and immediately acting them out—like standing up, touching a body part, or moving to a spot in the room. The focus is on linking meaning to action, so comprehension grows through movement before learners start producing spoken language. It’s especially effective for beginners because the physical responses reduce pressure and help memory by tying words to concrete actions. While behaviorism underpins the reinforcement aspect of this approach, the setup is specifically about the learner’s bodily responses to language. Other terms describe language use in longer talks or real-life contexts, not the command-and-action routine that defines this method.