Simon Says… The Power of Total Physical Response in Online English Learning for Children

Total Physical Response is a method based on the coordination of language and movement. Rather than requiring students to speak from the outset, it prioritises listening comprehension accompanied by physical actions.

In a traditional class, the teacher gives instructions such as “stand up”, “point to the door”, or “clap your hands”, and the students respond with movements. This process activates multiple areas of the brain, reinforcing the connection between words and meaning.

The method is based on three key principles:

• Meaningful repetition
• Linking words to actions
• A stress-free environment

The result is a more natural learning process, where making mistakes is part of the process.

At first glance, it might seem that TPR loses its effectiveness in virtual classes. However, experience shows the opposite to be true. At Novakid, a survey of over 130 online English teachers reveals that 98.5% consider TPR  to be a key tool for maintaining attention and facilitating language acquisition.

As Ali Sullivan, an ESL teacher at Novakid, explains: “This method works well because it matches how children naturally learn; through play, movement, and repetition. TPR keeps them active and focused, which is especially important online.”

Movement acts as a bridge between the screen and the child’s reality, transforming the lesson into an active experience.

TPR is not just an educational trend: it is based on the principles of embodied learning, which shows that involving the body in the process activates more areas of the brain and reinforces knowledge acquisition.

When learning incorporates movement, long-term memory is significantly strengthened. Hearing the word ‘climb’ is not the same as physically acting it out: by doing so, the brain not only processes the sound but also ‘experiences’ the action, creating deeper and more lasting connections.

Furthermore, movement has a direct impact on the emotional level. By reducing pressure and transforming the lesson into a more dynamic experience, it lessens the anxiety associated with language learning. This makes children feel more comfortable participating and, consequently, more willing to communicate.

Overall, integrating body and language not only improves retention but also increases student engagement and promotes more effective and natural learning.

One of the major challenges of online learning is the loss of attention. When lessons are limited to listening and watching, motivation drops rapidly. This challenge is even greater when we consider a clear trend: children and young people are spending more and more time in front of screens, whether for leisure, social media or study. In this context of digital overexposure, maintaining focus and interest becomes more complex than ever before.

This is where TPR makes the difference. As teacher Rogen Garcia points out: “Students lose interest if they are only looking at slides and listening. TPR boosts memory through actions and keeps them engaged.”

Movement introduces an element that breaks the passive dynamic associated with screen time. It forces the student to participate, react and engage physically with what they are learning. Instead of being just another spectator, the child becomes the protagonist of the lesson.

In an environment where digital technology tends to encourage a sedentary lifestyle, integrating the body into learning not only improves attention but also responds to a growing need: to transform screen time into an active, meaningful and truly educational experience.

The success of TPR in online classes depends not only on using it, but also on how well it is adapted to the student’s age, personality, and environment. Not all students respond in the same way to movement, and this is where the teacher’s ability to adjust the intensity and type of activity comes into play.

For younger children, learning happens almost naturally through physical activity. Broad, repetitive movements that are clearly linked to an action work best here: standing up, jumping, pointing at objects or imitating animals. For example, an instruction such as “jump like a frog” not only introduces new vocabulary, but also turns the lesson into a physical game that holds their attention.

With older learners, the approach changes. Movement remains useful, but becomes more subtle and functional. Instead of large gestures, facial expressions, small movements or visual cues are used to reinforce meaning and support communication. For example, when introducing emotions (happy, tired, excited), the teacher can accompany each word with facial expressions that help learners internalise the meaning without the need for translation.

Moreover, in the virtual environment, TPR relies on activities that connect the language with the learner’s real-world surroundings. Some of the most effective activities are:

• Simon Says: perfect for practising imperatives and body parts whilst children react in real time.
• Action miming: acting out verbs such as run, eat or sleep, inviting the learner to guess or repeat the action.
• Active Show-and-Tell: asking the learner to bring objects from their surroundings (a toy, something red, something soft) and describe them in English. This turns their home into part of the classroom.

This type of activity not only makes the session more dynamic, but also turns learning into a multi-sensory experience. The student listens, observes, moves around and participates actively. 

A study by Shanxi Normal University, Linfen, China, shows that TPR: 

• Promotes better listening comprehension, as students learn the language through active listening combined with physical movement. 
• Improves retention and revision of content, as the use of the body and multiple senses aids memory and vocabulary acquisition.
• Creates a more dynamic and participatory learning environment, increasing motivation and engagement in class whilst reducing the pressure associated with language learning, particularly among primary school pupils. 

Movement isn’t just an added bonus; it’s an essential part of language learning. Research and experience both show that engaging the body improves memory, reduces anxiety and facilitates a more natural acquisition of the language. 

“Use body movements even if they are small. Online teaching works best when it is simple, fun, and focused on the student,” says Sullivan, who highlights that in a digital environment, where attention spans are shorter, TPR becomes an indispensable tool because it not only keeps children active, but also allows them to experience the language in a more dynamic and engaging way.

At Novakid, we believe in learning where children don’t just listen to English… they experience it with their whole body.

Book a free Novakid English lesson now and discover how far your child can go with the right support!