Aren’t TPRS and CI the same thing? is a constant question I hear world language teachers asking. The answer is No! Logically, the next question I hear is How are they different then? There are LOTS of bloggers who have already answered this question. One of my favorite explanations is from Martina Bex’s (twitter: @MartinaBex; blog: martinabex.com) post called TPRS 101 – Teaching Proficiency is Really Simple. As so many have already answered this question, I do not want to reinvent the wheel; however, I would like to add to the discussion. I present to you The Comprehensible Input Umbrella visual:
My version of The Comprehensible Input Umbrella was inspired by Diana Noonan’s own CI Umbrella at #iFLT16. I thought to myself, Wow! This is so easy to understand! but I also wanted to beef it up to help those who are really trying to understand the difference between CI and TPRS. I added some activities from The Georgia Classicist’s post called A Comprehensible Input Approach – Various Delivery Methods after Grant Boulanger (twitter: @grantboulanger; blog: grantboulanger.com) had passed the post along. I then sent out my rough draft for feedback from some peers.
Some concerns others want addressed before releasing this image:
- SIZING does NoT mEaN one activity if MORE important than another. It was a stylistic choice to help the activities stand out on their own – which is also why I decided to have them in different colors, too.
- This is NOT an exhaustive list! Not by any means.
- There was some debate about whether or not to include Content-Based Instruction (CBI) on this list. Through my Master’s program I was told that the folks at the University of Minnesota are the leaders of CBI, and that often these professionals can be picky about what qualifies as CBI. However, when I reread the What qualifies as ‘content’ in CBI quotes, I can’t help but make a bajillion connections to what I am doing in my classroom when I teach about Lucha libre or geography. That’s why I have decided to leave Content-Based Instruction in the visual.
I hope this helps you when trying to figure out how TPRS and CI relate to one another!
La Clase de la Señora Dentlinger 
Great post!
Thanks!
This is a great post! When i first started implementing CI back in 2008, I only knew of TPRS. Although my students enjoyed it, TPRS got kind of old after awhile (because as Carol Gaab always says, “The brain craves novelty”), and I myself got tired of it, because it can be quite challenging. I love the fact that CI encompasses SO MANY different strategies. While I will still occasionally Ask-a-Story a’la TPRS, I love the fact that I can do so many other things to implement CI.
Keith
Thanks, Keith! I totally agree. I think most people wet their feet with TPRS because Blaine Ray’s Workshops do such a good job of offering nearby training around the country. However, I agree with you! Sometimes I got too tired to continue pure TPRS… so I began branching out. Thank you for sharing your story!
I love this CI image and was wondering if I can use w/ a presentation I am giving about novels.
Of course! Please make sure to leave the image intact and not crop out the bottom where credit’s given. Best of luck with your presentation!
Will do and thank you very much!
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I am giving a presentation on TPRS at our state conference (FLAM…Missouri) and wanted to use your umbrella in my presentation. Your name and blog are on the bottom to give you full credit, but I wanted to make sure that you are okay with me using it to explain the various types of CI. Let me know! Thanks!
Yes, Bess! Permission granted.
Elizabeth, your visual has been so helpful in explaining CI to teachers and student teachers. We are using it a lot in California. Thank you so much for this fabulous umbrella!
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Hi Elizabeth! Do you mind if I share your Umbrella Image and link to your website on my blog, http://www.senorachase.com?
Of course! 😊
Hi Elizabeth, it’s me again! I’m preparing a webinar about the HOW, WHAT and WHY of CI. Can I use your umbrella image in my presentation? (and credit you, of course?!)
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I am giving gathering a group of world language teachers together for a networking session. May I use and share your umbrella image with them? Can I also link it on my website?
Of course!
Thank you! If you’d like to see the resources I’ve gathered for them, feel free to go to my site. I’d love any suggestions you might have as well.
Hi, Thank you so much for creating this image. I am presenting research that I did with first-grade boys and the impact of using familiar folk and fairy tales to acquire Spanish. I would like you for permission to use your umbrella in my presentation. Thank you!
Of course you may use the image!
I love your CI umbrella design. It’s visual and clear. I would like for your permission to use this image in our world language teachers workshop. Thank you.
Hi, thank you for creating this CI umbrella. It’s visual and clear. I would like to get your permission to use this image for our teacher workshop in August. Thank you. Have a great summer.
Yes you may!