As an addict and faithful follower of CI I shall attempt my best at giving you a quick overview and introduction to this wonderful hypothesis/theory. I will try to make it easy, since you do need to read a little bit more into it to get a better picture of things.
The Input Hypothesis was first stated by Stephen Krashen in the early 70s. He stated that we acquire language one way and only one way, by understanding messages. Later on we got to know The Natural Approach which defined further points of language acquisition.
The Natural Approach
I will try to make it brief, since this is only an introduction.
Learning – Acquisition Hypothesis
This hypothesis defined the distinctions between learning and acquiring. We adults have two methods, language learning and language acquisition. Language learning is basically knowing about the language, so grammar, and it is a conscious process. We are aware of language learning since we know the rules and apply it. On the other hand language acquisition is a subconscious process which is very similar to the one of children’s first language acquisition. Since it is subconscious we are not aware that we are acquiring or that we use the acquired knowledge. We go by “feeling”. Little fun fact, acquiring can be said more casually as picking up a language.
The Natural Order Hypothesis
We acquire language in a predictable manner. Some items come sooner than others. This cannot be changed, but learning can disrupt it by moving late acquired items lower. It happens, because these items are easy to learn also, because of this fact it has its limits. Also the natural order is the product of acquisition. It emerges when we acquire.
The Input Hypothesis
The fan favourite! As defined in the beginning we acquire language in one way and only one way, when we understand messages. This happens when we listen or read (very important that these two ways are the most useful ones) comprehensible input. Let us define our language knowledge as i. So comprehensible input is input which is one level above our so, i+1.
Graded Readers is a beautiful way of getting comprehensible input, because they are divided into difficulty levels so everyone can find something for them. Also a great many youtubers started to use comprehensible input based methods for language teaching.
Another important point. Input must be compelling. If it is not to your interest, leave it. Pick up something else, because if it isn’t interesting acquisition will not happen.
The Monitor Hypothesis
This part defines the use of language learning, knowing about language. It is a monitor, an editor. It corrects our acquired knowledge. Grammar is limited, because it must fulfil three conditions to be used.
- You have to have time.
- You have to be focused on form. In a good conversation people forget to focus on form and focus on the message instead.
- The worst of all. You have to know the rule. Not even your teachers know every rule in the book
So I ask you. Where are these three conditions fulfilled? You guessed it, on a grammar test. This is why we focus on the message so on what we are saying and not how we are saying it.
The Affective Filter Hypothesis
The affective filter is wall that prevents acquisition to take place. It emerges when we are under stress and anxiety. Best case of this is when the teacher calls on you before you are ready. This affective filter must be lowered so we can acquire. Sadly the natural filter gets more prominent after puberty. This is also why children are so amazing at acquiring language, because they have, most of the time, almost no affective filter.
Extroverts have an easier time dealing with this filter than introverts. Self-study is the introverts way, haha.
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