TPRS Storytelling - The Best Language Learning Method Ever!

TPRS Gold Mine: www.tprsbooks.com/free-resour... TPR Storytelling (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling or TPRS) is a method of teaching foreign languages.
TPRS lessons use a mixture of reading and storytelling to help students learn a foreign language in a classroom setting. The method works in three steps: in step one the new vocabulary structures to be learned are taught using a combination of translation, gestures, and personalized questions; in step two those structures are used in a spoken class story; and finally, in step three, these same structures are used in a class reading. Throughout these three steps, the teacher will use a number of techniques to help make the target language comprehensible to the students, including careful limiting of vocabulary, constant asking of easy comprehension questions, frequent comprehension checks, and very short grammar explanations known as "pop-up grammar". Many teachers also assign additional reading activities such as free voluntary reading, and there have been several easy novels written by TPRS teachers for this purpose.
Proponents of TPR Storytelling, basing their argument on the second language acquisition theories of Stephen Krashen, hold that the best way to help students develop both fluency and accuracy in a language is to expose them to large amounts of comprehensible input. The steps and techniques in TPR Storytelling help teachers to provide this input by making the language spoken in class both comprehensible and engaging. In addition, TPR Storytelling uses many concepts from mastery learning. Each lesson is focused on just three vocabulary phrases or fewer, enabling teachers to concentrate on teaching each phrase thoroughly. Teachers also make sure that the students internalize each phrase before moving on to new material, giving additional story lessons with the same vocabulary when necessary.
TPR Storytelling is unusual in that it is a grassroots movement among language teachers. After being developed by Blaine Ray in the 1990s, the method has gained popular appeal with language teachers who claim that they can reach more students and get better results than they could with previous methods. It is enjoying increasing attention from publishers and academic institutions. A number of practitioners publish their own materials and teaching manuals, and training in TPR Storytelling is generally offered at workshops by existing TPRS teachers rather than at teacher training college.
TPRS | TPR Storytelling | TPRS English | TPRS Storytelling Lesson | TPRS Storytelling examples | Emuallim

[@Chickasawndngirl]

Yay! I’m a TPRS teacher too! I’m teaching an endangered language. I’ve spent years teaching grammar and feeling hopeless that my students weren’t talking naturally. I discovered TPRS and started using it. Within 6 hours, my adult students were talking, reading and writing. I’m shocked! This is my 4th semester teaching with this method and It’s a total success! :D Thanks for the video!

[@Emuallim]

So glad to hear that there are people out there who are dedicated to teaching a language even when its endangered. as for grammar, its been a pain in the neck in my classes as well. speaking, writing, reading in 6 hours? Wow! How did you do that? which tprs books did u use? you are welcome!

[@chickasawclasses7777]

@@Emuallim :) In answer to your question about which books did I use...when I started learning about TPRS it was through a friend of mine and her husband, who have spent years in remote parts of the world where they have no written languages. They have learned several indigenous languages and produced custom alphabets, and are improving literacy with various groups. They told me about TPRS. I was shocked to hear about it and couldn't understand how it worked. So my friend decided to teach me her language to show me how it worked. I learned a tremendous amount in only four 15 minute sessions. After that, we didn't have more time to work together, so she told me to get the Fifth Edition of "Fluency thru TPR Storytelling" by Blaine Ray. When I got the book, it was almost the beginning of the new school term. I didn't have much time to examine it, so I read what I could and went off what I'd learned from my sessions with my friend. It was so successful that my students think this is the best thing ever. Now that I've had more opportunity to examine the book, I'm working on a four year plan to cover everything my students will need. It's so much fun...lots of laughing in class, and lots of stories both that I create and my students create with me. We do lots of personal Q & A. We also do timed writing, but I tell my students not to worry about spelling. Their spelling gets corrected when we read and discuss stories with those vocabulary words in them, so no need to verbally correct. They're writing naturally keeps improving.

[@zemalou]

@@chickasawclasses7777 I wish you were my language teacher when I was in school.

[@chickasawclasses7777]

@@zemalou Me too! I wish my language teachers knew this method when I was in High School. It would've been soooo much better. 😃

[@zemalou]

@@chickasawclasses7777 What language do you teach exactly?

[@FrenchComprehensibleInput]

Yes! 😃 TPRS teacher here :-) Very happy to see that this method is getting more and more popular! 💪🤓 Thank you for the video and *all the best to all of you learning the language of your dreams!!!* 🙂🍀

[@Emuallim]

Our pleasure!

[@Emuallim]

Your welcome! I think in 5 to 10 years this method will be used in major universities of the world and every language learner will have heard about it and most will have used it because it's so much better than Rosetta Stone and listen and repeat methods.

[@FrenchComprehensibleInput]

@@Emuallim I agree, especially in primary schools and further education! :-D How did you discover the method?

[@Emuallim]

I used to listen to the podcasts made by an American English teacher named AJ Hoge and he mentioned that he used TPRS in his class and that's how i got introduced but i did have to do a ton of research before getting into it to make sure that it was the right thing to do. Then, I decided to give it a try and trust me, it is one of the best decisions i have ever made.

[@FrenchComprehensibleInput]

@@Emuallim Really nice! :-D

[@elianaponce8368]

In fact, I landed on this video because I'm considering applying new methods to engage my students (using graded readers). Very interesting! Thanks!

[@Emuallim]

Glad it was helpful! You should watch "How to Learn English FAST" where I talk about how i would use graded readers to learn English

[@zafertokur7151]

Yes but disturbing high volume music

[@arabiccomprehensible]

I am a teacher and I taught with this method for student how have no clue about the language and I took them to intermediate level in just six months I can’t believe how fast and effective is it

[@Emuallim]

Wow, you have done a great job! Maybe you could help me too. I've been learning arabic over the past several months but most of the resources out there are mostly grammar or vocabulary based and I could only find a few Arabic TPRS materials... wait ... let me check your channel .... ... ... ... Do you believe in love at first sight? This exactly what just happened when I saw your channel. I'm in love with the videos. I think it would be even better if each video had vocabulary definitions at the beginning and arabic subtitles.

[@arabiccomprehensible]

​@@Emuallim thank you so much Emuallim you encouraged me to make more videos . Actually the reason why I started my KZbin channel is because I did not find enough resources for Arabic learners and also because I have some experience teaching with TPRS I thought it will be a good idea to help! again thank you so much for your support

[@Emuallim]

First off, I'm really sorry for such a long delay. I've been busy learning coding lately. I'm glad to hear that you got encouragement. Btw, Did you add translations and subtitles to your videos?

[@Edu-Side]

just, wow) this is one the most effective method I've ever experienced. TPRS forces u to engage your subconscious mind

[@u.kenler.english]

The outro message really hit the spot, thanks for sharing your research!

[@yuxueliu440]

I am a Chinese teacher, I love teaching via stories. Until now I realized this way is called TPRS. Great video! Thanks

[@Emuallim]

you're so welcome

[@comprehensibleclassroom]

Love this explanation, THANK YOU for creating this great video!

[@Emuallim]

Are you the Martina Bex, one of the best tprs teacher in the usa? I've seen your videos and they can be described by one word - fantabulous!

[@teresita.lozada]

OMG, I LOVE THIS EXPLANATION!. Thank you!.

[@Emuallim]

You are so welcome!

[@els1f]

English class step 1) "Get lost, stalker" 😄

[@strahinjamacesic3974]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@Strong_power3]

What a clever uzbek man!!!!!

[@letsfilipino]

I'm currently researching on TPRS. This is interesting. I think I'm gonna be a TPRS teacher 😁

[@muhiddinjv9898]

You definitely should give it a try and i promise you wont regret a minute you've put into your research! Good luck!

[@garcya92]

very interesting,i would like to acquire english with those techniques, and comrpehensible input.do you have a programa to get the fluency in english?

[@virginiahildebrandt4532]

What a GREAT JOB you did with this video! Thank you! (yes, I am a TPRS teacher)

[@Emuallim]

Thank you very much

[@akramobada]

is it the similar to language acquisition . if yes , where can I find materials which is kinda helpful to acquire second language

[@5MinutePsychology]

It’s a very valuable video! I use storytelling also in teaching psychology. It is highly effective and liked by students.

[@Emuallim]

Thank you. How do you use it to teach psychology which is not a language? do you use circling to teach some concepts?

[@Nath_CM]

Very interesting, this is the first time I hear about this method

[@Emuallim]

Hope you like it!

[@teacherchil]

I am in love with TPRS...thanks for your very elucidating video.

[@Emuallim]

As Stephen Krashen has pointed out it is the best method out thereand I am glad to hear that you have joined the club of TPRS fans. Keep it up mr. Chil!

[@teacherchil]

Thanks!!!

[@teacherchil]

I am reading the books now... Thanks for your kind reply.

[@camillelardon9395]

Thank you for this great video ! I'm online french teacher, I use this method and the results are impressive with students !

[@aztecguy]

Im looking for online japanese teacher using this method. Help

[@Emuallim]

Awesome! What website do you use to teach french?

[@yosefvega]

Hey! I'm interested in learning French with TPRS! My e-maile is [e-mail] Thanks in advance!

[@camillelardon9395]

@@EmuallimThis is my website frances-en-linea.com/ but I teach on Skype ;)

[@camillelardon9395]

@@Emuallim This is my website frances-en-linea.com/ but I teach on Skype ;)

[@franciscosolis6316]

Gracias, gracias, gracias 🙏🏽

[@Emuallim]

De nada

[@Emuallim]

De nada

[@novallucination5915]

I'm currently taking classes to get certification and this weeks assignment is constructing an activity using TPRS and this video is very helpful. I only wish I knew how to choose an actual grammar point and how to make a valid story for it.

[@Emuallim]

Thank you! Teaching grammar through stories has been around for quite a long time. Just google grammar through stories and you will get a ton of ideas which you can adapt to tprs.

[@botondattilaboros]

Stories recycle grammar in a naturally repetitive way. TPRS is based on Krashen's SLA theory which refutes direct grammar teaching.

[@ShkarAhmed]

Thanks

[@Emuallim]

Welcome

[@poly-glot-a-lot6457]

Love TPRS :)

[@AntonLee03BM]

sir.how you comment about shadowing technique?

[@Edu-Side]

As eminent university of southern California linguist Stephen Krashen noted: "We acquire language when we understand what people tell us and what we read ........ there is no need for deliberate memorization"

[@Emuallim]

absolutely true!

[@Edu-Side]

@@Emuallim yep

[@user-nf9xc7ww7m]

It seems Leo already understands English. He keeps saying English phrases 😋

[@Emuallim]

yes he has basid understanding of the language. it comes from high school :)

[@bakytturatbekov6125]

Great job my friend! Are there any books that you can recommend to get the stories from?

[@Emuallim]

TPRS Storytelling by Blaine Ray is a good start

[@verenastegmayer674]

thank you for this video! Can you help me with this question - so the reading is about the story of the class but who writes it? I'm really interested in how this works :) thank you!

[@Emuallim]

you are welcome. TPRS stories are co-created with the whole class. The teacher asks questions to get details for the story that doesn't exist yet.

[@knowledgegeeks3901]

Is the way that aj use (mini-stories) the way you talked about it in this video?

[@Emuallim]

yes almost

[@guayabita27able]

great video! thanks. Check your spelling, please 🥰

[@claub.4515]

Good presentation. Just one note: Fluency is with a C!

[@Emuallim]

Thanks for that but I did it on purpose. In TPRS fluency is more important than accuracy.

[@maysaffar2422]

I LOVE TPRS and will share this video with my admin as intro. Any idea how such video was made? What software is used to put such great lesson? I am an ESL teacher and a lot of my middle school students are beginners and love animation.

[@Emuallim]

Thank you. The software I used to make the video is "VideoScribe". Good luck on making cool animation lessons!

[@johnd942]

Thank you for this presentation, it's my first look at TPRS. By the way, (sorry to be picky) but the word 'FLUENSY' is incorrect spelling. It ought to be 'FLUENCY'....with a 'C', not an 'S'. Thanks again for the presentaton, cheers!

[@Emuallim]

Thanks for the info but i did it on purpose. in tprs fluency is more important than accuracy. btw, im learning arabiv with it and its literally the best method bcoz i have tried all the big ones out there including, rosetta stone, michel thomas, pimsleur, etc.

[@thisisme6395]

method is cool, but how to use it, are there any books for that? Can someone tell please?

[@Emuallim]

there is a link in the description of the video

[@safasadat7687]

hello, the good destiny leads me here, I am an ELT master's student and I decided to make my thesis topic on TPRS so your video appeared at the very beginning of my searches, and I will put this v in my online searches list. I will be highly appreciated it if you help me to find more useful searches on this study I want to know more and more about this interesting method. 3>

[@Emuallim]

Hello I'm really sorry for a such a loooong delay. I've been busy with some personal matters and I just got back. Checkout the playlist called TPRS Storytelling on my channel. It has some of the best videos about this method. I hope, it is not too late.

[@safasadat7687]

@@Emuallim thanks amillion ❤

[@Emuallim]

@@safasadat7687 you are absolutely welcome))

[@Emuallim]

@@safasadat7687 Have you done your research on TPRS?

[@safasadat7687]

Not yet, I was a little bit lost about the thesis and I didn't know from where to start 😔 but 3 days ago I decided to break the ice and start researching again and start to write

[@aiamdeivid]

But the high school I work in it is forbidden to speak the Mother tongue (spanish) what could I do?

[@Emuallim]

you could try writing things on the board instead of speaking to explain or define words.

[@TubeUil]

Sorry if it's unwanted correction, but isn't fluency written with a c in stead of an s?

[@Emuallim]

I did it on purpose. In TPRS, fluency is always more important than accuracy!

[@TubeUil]

@@Emuallim ah! I see:) I agree, accuracy is not as important as fluency.

[@andyjm7122]

thank you, but where is the so called 'playlist' which helps teachers to use this method more?

[@Emuallim]

Sorry for the delay. the playlist will be ready today!

[@Emuallim]

here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqGrd4GLpKmlj5o

[@andyjm7122]

@@Emuallim Thanks!

[@x10master]

Hi, could you recommend books for TPRS?

[@Emuallim]

Hi, I recommend Blaine Rays book: www.amazon.com/Fluency-Through-Storytelling-Contee-Seely/dp/0929724216

[@concepcionledezma5027]

@@Emuallim of course, the profits go directly into Mr. Rays' pocket, as is the case with everyone who re-invents the wheel. There are advantages and disadvantages to every teaching method. Variation is the key.

[@aztecguy]

Where can I find online TPRS teachers?

[@nmayor8290]

Try tprsbooks.com or the Comprehensible Classroom by Martina Bex

[@user-ng7zh2df3y]

@@nmayor8290 Thank You!!

[@Jojo2]

So it works so well because you hear the vocab words in sentences a ton of times rather than studying vocab on flash cards for hours?

[@Emuallim]

Exactly and it's so much fun to answer questions in a target language b/c it feels like you are actually communicating in the language and you really are. This leads to self-confidence which so many language learners lack due to the trauma they got from overly complicated grammar rules and drills at school.

[@user-nf9xc7ww7m]

Maybe TRPS isn't the one I'm thinking of... What is the method called where you manipulate objects in a sentence? For example, in the sentence: "the frog jumped over the bridge in order to get to his house in the rice field," the teacher has a toy frog, bridge, rice field, and house. He "sets the stage" and manipulates the frog. Anybody know what that method is called?

[@Emuallim]

sounds like tprs to me b/c most teachers use realia such as toys, fruit, vegetables, books etc. in their class and show (not just tell) a story. this comes from ALG. automatic language growth.

[@rachelharris708]

total physical response

[@andrewd136]

Well I'm sold but how do I attend a TPRS class like the one Leo did?

[@Emuallim]

Google: TPRS Workshops for teachers

[@yulchiabduxalilov6582]

Assalamu alaykum ustoz yaxshimisiz menga ham bu usul ancha yoqib qoldi maktabda darsda sinab ko'rdim ozgina yaxshi ish berdi lekin material, kitob topishda muammo bo'lyapti shunga yordam bera olasizmi?

[@yulchiabduxalilov6582]

Internetda ko'rdim pullik kitoblar ham ko'p ekan telegramdagi 2 ta kanalingizni ham kuzatib boraman beginner daraja uchun material tavsiya qilsangiz oldindan rahmat?

[@Emuallim]

Valeykum assalom. Yaxshimisiz. Beginner la uchun "very easy true stories" by Sandra heyer yaxshi. Shuni yana boshqa qismlariyam bor elementary pre inter upper la uchun

[@ShAkbar-lk4bc]

Hi can you help me about English online classes...?

[@Emuallim]

hi, im not sure what you mean?

[@ShAkbar-lk4bc]

@@Emuallim i mean can you help me about English language online ...?.

[@ShAkbar-lk4bc]

@@Emuallim my English is not good

[@Emuallim]

@@ShAkbar-lk4bc do you want me to teach you Englsh online?

[@ShAkbar-lk4bc]

@@Emuallim yeah 😊

[@klaaskay2685]

How can I then use this technique to self-learn because that's what I do and not in a class?

[@Emuallim]

What language are you learning? If its spanish, then you must watch the following video >> m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmbLhn2phq2kZrc >> TPRS Lesson - Courage to teach COL. I have learned more spanish from this video alone than an entire spanish grammar book.

[@Emuallim]

Say your learning Spanish, just google search: spanish graded readers and start reading and listening to spanish storis for beginners. Once you've read 15-20 beginner books, you're ready to move to elementary stories and read 15-20 books. My student learned to speak english in 5 months using this method. Now he is working in Europe as a programmer. He read and listened to a total of 100 books. Hope this can help!

[@klaaskay2685]

@@Emuallim Thanks much!

[@Emuallim]

Your welcome

[@alkarrafi7645]

@@Emuallim did he read and listen at the same time?

[@nick624179]

Krashen, what a familiar name

[@akramobada]

are they talking about stephan krashen , tprs is helpful to acquire english , what do you think

Now we just need loads of TPRS Materials in many languages. Why are there so few?

[@Emuallim]

Thats what I struggled with when I started out. I had to make up stories for each class b/c there were hardly any good ones on the internet. I guess we need to fix that b/c there is demand for it and its been steadily increasing.

[@letophunchoboy5928]

Wow, amazing, i want you to teach me please🙏😫

[@Emuallim]

Ok, What do you want to learn?

[@letophunchoboy5928]

@@Emuallim I was a Tprs student long time ago, I loose practice, I want to re-start, how can we keep in touch?

[@Emuallim]

​@@letophunchoboy5928 you can contact me on telegram at @muhiddinjv

[@user-hv7nk7rn6p]

why do they spell 'fluency' with s ?...

[@Emuallim]

because fluency is more important than accuracy in tprs

[@davidmurray319]

It’s an error it’s fluency

[@dreamandmakeit6221]

How many hours taken to learn English like this?

[@Emuallim]

you could learn it in 6 - 12 months

[@joelthomastr]

Inta emuallim We7na minnak net3allim 😄

[@ronlugbill1400]

I think Gloria should have married Leo. ♥️

[@alkarrafi7645]

I am interested to learn English with this method, anyone teach Online by Using this way?

[@englishtoolbox]

Sure, try the StoryAsk playlist at The English Toolbox

[@Emuallim]

Yes, of course. fluencyfast.com

[@Emuallim]

thanks for sharing this!

[@moroccanproud8597]

Leo is a kinesthetic learner

[@Emuallim]

absolutely

[@s.blanchette9978]

I like the concept, however, it appears that you must speak the mother language of the students. In some cases, an ESL/TOEFL/EFL teacher could have several mother toungues in one class. 🤔

[@clairegittens3707]

S. Blanchette It doesn’t have to. You can start TPRS from the absolute basics using super simple vocabulary and lots of pictures.

[@Emuallim]

you can start with Total Physical Response. You will see the results in your first class!

[@user-nf9xc7ww7m]

I think manipulatives (objects that are recognisable in nearly all languages) would be used for concrete sentences, but abstract would be a bit harder. How does one convey "in order to" with manipulatives? Maybe that would come later in a more traditional way. Or maybe TRPS isn't the one I'm thinking of... What is the method called where you manipulate objects in a sentence? For example, in the sentence: "the frog jumped over the bridge in order to get to his house in the rice field," the teacher has a toy frog, bridge, rice field, and house. He "sets the stage" and manipulates the frog. Anybody know what that method is called?

[@jimanHK]

5 min 4 sec fluenSy !!!

[@Emuallim]

I did it on purpose. Fluency is more important than accuracy.

[@Emuallim]

This is a must-watch if you really want to get to the bottom of tprs kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmGonKGmpZdqrdE

[@joeldiaz5857]

Can you still do TPRS, even if you are not a very good storyteller?

[@Emuallim]

You dont have to be a storyteller to use tprs b/c I am not. You can use (target langauge) "graded reader" depending on your students level. You translate a story and circle it by asking one question per statment. Thats what i do and my students love it.

[@joeldiaz5857]

@@Emuallim Thanks for your encouraging response.

[@Emuallim]

Your weclome Joel

[@pescecanella4742]

*fluensy; fluency

[@Emuallim]

I did it on purpose.

[@smrtztt8685]

Fluensy?

[@Emuallim]

i did it on purpose. its ok to make mistakes bcoz fluency is more important than accuracy

[@brandonvestra]

"Fluensy"

[@Emuallim]

i did it on purpose

[@user-eb6et7ph7r]

Prodos why?

[@mkuc6951]

@@user-eb6et7ph7r because its more important to have FLUENCY than GRAMMATICAL correctness when learning a language

[@Emuallim]

Thank you Morrissey for the explanation. This is exactly what was meant by fluensy!

[@dexschris3996]

@@Emuallim and you intentionally spelled it incorrectly again?

[@enovativeltc3794]

Great video, please check your spelling on "fluency"... not "fluensy". kudos!

[@Emuallim]

Thanks but i did it on purpose to point out that in tprs fluency comes before accuracy and making mistakes are fine as long as people understand what u mean

[@enovativeltc3794]

I see...good point. Take it back, specially when I also promote that making mistakes is fine and even welcomed. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[@Emuallim]

Your welcome brother

[@robertogarciazevallos3186]

FluenCy

[@Emuallim]

i did it on purpose

[@iarladonlon2826]

"FLUENSY"... uh oh

[@Emuallim]

I did it on purpose. Fluency is first, accuracy is second.

[@user-gu2qg5pi7b]

Balagan, not class. I going to another skool

[@thorhbar1255]

You spelled proficiency wrong.

[@Emuallim]

i did it on purpose b/c fluency is more important than accuracy

[@thorhbar1255]

@@Emuallim Yeah, sure.

[@carlosc.c9686]

@@Emuallim gr8t

[@loot6]

'Fluensy'? Lol quite ironic in a video about learning English.

[@Emuallim]

i did it on purpose. fluency comes firs, not accuracy.

[@loot6]

@@Emuallim Lol, what's even more ironic is there might actually be some people in the world that would believe that.

[@standardbrah]

okay this was helpful but this dude really misspelled proficiency and fluency? is that a joke?

[@Emuallim]

I did it on purpose. Fluency is more important than accuracy in TPRS

[@patriciofernandez6500]

so you are selling your method comparing it to garbage? good luck with that.

[@Emuallim]

I'm not selling anything

[@user-hc9jd1nr2n]

You can't do this from scratch. Basic grammar is essential

[@Emuallim]

you can as long as you use translations and gestures. Watch some of the videos on the playlist and you'll see it yourself

[@tensortab8896]

I would hate this method. Asking personal questions would immediately stop my participation. A typical extrovert centered teaching method.

[@user-qw8zj1vb9q]

I agree, but the basic idea of learning through input still holds true

[@Emuallim]

a professional tprs teacher would probably not let you feel that way bcoz its about lowering your anxiety level down to almost zero and there are technques to do that without putting you in the spotlight

[@sabinoluevano7447]

learning grammar without rules...good luck with that. The truth is THERE IS NO MAGIC METHOD, there is no THE BEST METHOD neither to learn a new language. Almost all methods work as long as students want to learn the language. Teachers are not clowns and they do not have to amuse students. Education is hard and painful. Sometimes it can be fun, but we need to be careful with the tiktok have fun mentality: that only produces mediocrity in the long run. I am an eclectic professor. I used all tools that work; grammar explanations, conversation, reading, storytelling etc.

[@Emuallim]

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on the video. I appreciate that. I have used grammar explanations, conversation, reading, storytelling as well and among all these TPRS was the one that gave me the quickest results. Thanks to a video on youtube, I learned more spanish in only 30 minutes than an entire book on the language.