TPRS

Q: What is TPRS?

A: TPRS is an acronym for Teaching Proficiency Through Reading and Storytelling. It is a method for teaching foreign language that includes an emphasis on comprehensible input with a student-centered focus. Learn more here: http://tprstories.com/what-is-tprs

Q: Who came up with this?

A: TPRS was created by Blaine Ray. Hear his story in his own words: Blaine Ray's TPRS

Q: What is comprehensible input?

A: Comprehensible input is a method proposed by Stephen Krashen. Students learn by hearing and understanding messages that are just slightly higher than their current language level. If students are not understanding what is being taught in class, then they are not learning. This video demonstrates the difference between the traditional direct instruction method and the comprehensible input method:

What is CI?

Q: How does this work?

A: From the first day of class, I am creating a safe, interactive educational environment. This is crucial to TPRS, because TPRS is dependent upon student-centered storytelling. In order for students to be invested in TPRS storytelling, each story should include topics that are of interest to students. Therefore, our stories will include popular celebrities and well-known locations--like the X-Men superhero Wolverine, hanging out at Wal-Mart, with a student named Wallace. Yes, students will be in the stories--of course! That's what makes learning fun, when it's all about our students going on story-telling adventures. And it's all in Spanish!