Exploring+Krashen

= ** Exploring Krashen ** = = ** and ** = = The Natural Approach = = =

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and is considered an expert in the field of linguistics.He specializes in theories of language acquisition and development. Much of his recent research has involved the study of non-English and bilingual language acquisition. He is widely known for his theory of second language acquisition which includes five main hypotheses.
 * Stephen Krashen** is a professor at The University of Southern California

**The Natural Approach** was developed by Tracy Terrell and Stephen Krashen in 1977. It is based on the communicative view of language and includes five different hypotheses (explained below). The Natural Approach has had a broad influence on the study of second language acquisition and has become a standard in ESL instruction.

**Krashen's Five Hypotheses**


 * ** A cquisition-Learning Hypothesis ** - According to Krashen there are two independent systems of second language performance: the acquired system (unconscious process through using language meaningfully) and the learned system (consciously learning rules about a language).


 * **The Natural Order hypothesis** - suggests that the acquisition of grammatical structures follows a natural order which is predictable.


 * **The Monitor Hypothesis** - explains the relationship between acquisition and learning and defines the influence learning has on acquisition. Conscious learning operates only as a monitor or editor that checks or repairs the output of what has been acquired.


 * **The Input Hypothesis** - The learner improves and progresses along the natural order when he/she receives second language input that is one step beyond his/her current stage of linguistic competence. It is concerned with acquisition, not learning.


 * **The Affective Filter Hypothesis** - This hypotheses addresses variables such as motivation, self-confidence and anxiety which can enhance or create a mental block in second language acquisition. The learner's emotional state can act as a filter that impedes or blocks input necessary for acquisition.

Resources Schutz, R.92007). Stephen Krashen's theory of second language acquisition. Retrieved online on 5/24/2010 at: []

The natural approach. (1999). Retrieved online on 5/24/2010 at: [|http://www.sil.org/.../waystoapproachlanguagelearning /thenaturalapproach.htm]

Kathleen B. Jones Clinton City Schools jonesk@clintonschools.org