The total physical response method begins with the teacher giving the students basic physical commands in English to perform. The teacher continues giving English commands, but each time the commands become more complex. This continues until the ability level of most of the students is increased. The method then shifts: Students take turns giving each other physical commands in English to perform. If they are able, they make their commands increasingly difficult. The total physical response method is designed to be fun and help reduce the stress involved in learning another language. It also gives the students the opportunity to use English vocabulary and motor skills to help enhance the learning.
According to Galina Kavaliauskiene of the University of Lithuania Law School, students perform better with language learning when they become more autonomous in the classroom. Activities should be geared to encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning. The Community Language Learning methods help to fill that requirement. The activity begins with the teacher leading. Everyone sits in a circle, and the teacher leads the discussion. Students participate to build up their vocabulary skills. Slowly, however, the teacher begins to remove himself from the circle and allows the students to converse on their own. It may take several sessions before the students are confident and fluent enough to manage without teacher assistance.
Suggestopedia involves playing Baroque music in the background while regular activities are occurring in the classroom. The theory is that the Baroque music will relax the brain. When the brain is in a relaxed state it can take in and retain more material.
The Silent Method is another activity that encourages student autonomy. The teacher remains quiet and offers only props, posters, charts or other visual stimuli. The teacher may set some type of language problem or question centered around one of the props. She then allows the students to work together to solve the task. This encourages vocabulary use and cooperative learning.