Effective Strategies for Assisting Your Friend in Learning English

Helping a friend learn English can be a rewarding experience for both parties. Total Physical Response (TPR), combined with engaging activities and resources, makes the learning process enjoyable and effective. This article delves into various methods and strategies that can significantly aid in the language acquisition of your friend.

Understanding Total Physical Response (TPR)

In 1967, Dr. James Asher discovered Total Physical Response (TPR) while observing how babies learn language from their parents. TPR is a method of language learning that encourages physical movement and actions to aid in the retention of vocabulary and sentences. It is based on the idea that physical movement helps learners internalize the meaning of words.

The key to TPR lies in making the learning experience engaging and interactive. Unlike traditional language learning methods, TPR does not require your friend to repeat phrases. They can participate if they choose to, but this is not a necessity. The focus is on comprehension through physical movements and actions.

Engaging in TPR Activities

Here are some simple activities you can do to help your friend learn English through TPR:

Basic Commands and Actions

Start by walking, saying 'walk ' and 'stop' as you perform the actions. As your friend gets more comfortable, add more complex commands such as turning left or right:

Walk: Walk and stop, repeating the commands several times. Turn: While walking, say 'turn left' or 'turn right' as you perform the action. Follow Directions: Ask your friend to walk behind you or in front of you and give them directions to follow. Mistakes: Introduce simple mistakes to encourage practice, such as saying 'turn right' instead of 'turn left'.

These basic commands might be followed by more complex activities, such as washing dishes:

Start with hot water. Add dish washing detergent and stir the water. Encourage your friend to put glasses and cups into the water. Perform these actions while providing verbal directions, without using pronouns to make the experience more challenging.

This method fosters an environment where your friend feels comfortable making mistakes, which is crucial for learning any new language.

Expanding Language Skills with TV, YouTube, and Conversation

Expanding your friend's language skills can be enhanced by engaging in broader activities that provide opportunities to hear and practice the language in context. Here are some suggestions:

Listen and Repeat

Encourage your friend to listen to and repeat sounds and phrases. Repeat these sounds and phrases multiple times for better retention.

Consider engaging in conversations with a native speaker, which can also provide valuable practice and feedback.

Role Playing

Role-playing exercises are excellent for practicing conversational skills. You can act out different scenarios, such as ordering food at a restaurant or making a phone call, to help your friend practice English in real-life situations.

Cultural and Religious Inclusion

To make the learning experience more culturally relevant and inclusive, you might consider adding cultural references to the language learning process. Here are some suggestions:

Incorporating Religious Texts

For friends who might be religious, using child-friendly religious texts can be a helpful resource. The International Children's Bible (ICB) is a great choice, as it is tailored for young learners and includes English translations of Bible stories in a child-friendly format.

Watching English Content

Encourage your friend to watch YouTube videos in English. Most libraries also have access to the BBC’s Muzzy Collection, which is a series of animated films and activities designed to teach English to young learners.

Integrate vocabulary by saying each word in English followed by its corresponding word in your friend's native language. For example:

English Your Language Teddy Bear Oso de peluche [Spanish] Elephant Elefante [Spanish] Dragon Dragón [Spanish] Snowman Pipo de nieve [Spanish]

This approach helps in embedding new vocabulary in different contexts, making the learning process more effective and enjoyable.

Conclusion

Assisting your friend in learning English is a multifaceted approach that encompasses various strategies. From engaging in TPR activities to using cultural references, each method serves to enhance the learning experience. By following these strategies, you can contribute significantly to your friend's progress in mastering the English language.