course 9 krashen sla hypotheses 1

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Stephen Krashen’s L2 Acquisition Theory



Introduction Acquisition refers to the subconscious process

identical in all important ways to the process

children utilize in acquiring their first language. Learning refers to the conscious process that

resultts in “knowing about” language.



In other words

acquisition is the result of natural interaction with thelanguage via meaningful communication, which sets inmotion developmental processes akin to those outlined infirst language acquisition,

and learning is the result of classroom experience, in which the learner is made to focus on form and to learn

about the linguistics rules of the target language



Five Hypotheses according to

Krashen1. The acquisition Learning Hypothesis

2. The Natural Order Hypothesis

3. The Monitor Hypothesis 4. The Input Hypothesis

5. The Affective filter Hypothesis



1. The Acquisition-Learning

Hypothesis Acquisition = subconsciously picking up

Learning = conscious

Error correction Explicit instruction

Children acquire language better than adults



2. The Natural Order Hypothesis Grammar structures are acquired in a predictable order.

Some grammatical structures tend to be acquired early

while others late. L2 learning order is different from L1 order

L2 learning adults and children show similar order



3. The Monitor Hypothesis Acquisition has the central role= our utterances are

produced by the acquired system.

Learning only functions as a Monitor or editor

Monitor is thought to alter the output of theacquired system before the utterance is actually written or spoken.

3 conditions needed to use Monitor If learners are given enough time

When Focus on form is important enough for them If the learners know the grammar.

When Monitor is not used, errors are natural.



4. The Input Hypothesis We acquire by comprehensible input (i) + 1

Input Hypothesis relates to acquisition, not

learning Focus not on structure but on understanding the

message

Do not teach structure deliberately; i+1 is providednaturally when input is understood

Production ability emerges. It’s not taught directly



5. The Affective Filter Hypothesis1. Motivation2. Self-confidence3. Anxiety

Krashen claims that learners with high motivation, self-confidence, a good self-image, and a low level of anxiety arebetter equipped for success in second language acquisition.Low motivation, low self-esteem, and debilitating anxiety can combine to 'raise' the affective filter and form a 'mental

block' that prevents comprehensible input from being usedfor acquisition. In other words, when the filter is 'up' it impedes language

acquisition. On the other hand, positive affect is necessary,but not sufficient on its own, for acquisition to take place.



The affective f i l ter



Source: Krashen, Stephen D. Principles and Practice in Second

Language Acquisition. New York, NY: Prentice Hall,1987.

Stephen Krashen's Theory of Second Language Acquisition available at: http://www.sk.com.br/sk-krash.html

Mitcell, R. and Florene Myles.2004. Second LanguageLearning Theories. London: Hodder Arnold.

http://www.sk.com.br/sk-krash.html





course 9 krashen sla hypotheses 1

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