EFL teaching through Total Physical Response and Physical Activity on Higher Education students: A systematic review

Abstract

Total physical response (TPR) aims to develop listening comprehension and verbal communication skills of beginner level of students through physical actions. This paper is a systematic review of the literature on EFL teaching by TPR methodology on higher education students in the area of English teaching, Physical Education, and Physical Activity and Sport. After an exhaustive search, 5 peer-reviewed publications were classified according to frequency and geographical distribution, sample and duration of the programs, research methodologies, data collection instruments used, and main outcomes investigated. The results indicate that the research methodologies used tended to be qualitative, while the variety of samples and duration of interventions was broad. The instruments employed were mainly reflexive diaries with open questions and descriptive survey, as well questionnaires and surveys, and the programs were developed specifically for Spain and Asian countries. In conclusion, the present systematic review highlights that TPR and physical activities can have a positive effect on higher education students EFL learning.