All+About+Krashen

Stephen Krashen



Who is Stephen Krashen? **

Stephen Krashen (University of Southern California) is an expert in the field of linguistics, specializing in theories of language acquisition and development. Much of his recent research has involved the study of non-English and bilingual language acquisition. Dr. Krashen has published more than 350 papers and books, contributing to the fields of [|second language acquisition], [|bilingual education] , and reading. He is credited with introducing various influential concepts and terms in the study of [|second language acquisition], including the [|acquisition-learning hypothesis] , the [|input hypothesis] , the [|monitor hypothesis] , the [|affective filter] , and the [|natural order hypothesis] .. Most recently, Krashen promotes the use of //free voluntary reading// during second language acquisition, which he says " is the most powerful tool we have in language education, first and second." Taken from []


 * The Natural Approach: **

A method which aims to apply the principles of natural language acquisition into classroom context. The language acquisition theory underlying NA suggests that we acquire any new language in an amazingly simple way: by "understanding messages" in the target language. So one need not to imitate all aspects of natural setting of language acquisition, but to provide crucial ingredient of naturalistic acquisition: comprehensible input (CI). Provided that learners are exposed to ample amount of CI, they can acquire a new language not only in the artificial context of classroom but even on Mars. Click on the links to see how to apply this simple and effective method in your own context. Taken from []



**Krashen's Five Hypotheses**

__ Acquisition vs. Learning Hypothesis ____ - __ In order for students to acquire a second language, teachers must focus on communication rather than on the rote memorization of rules (form). Students must be immersed in meaningful and comprehensible contexts. It is not "knowing about" the language that helps develop communicative competency, it is using the language in meaningful interactions. Therefore, teachers must provide for these meaningful interactions to occur in the classroom.

__ The Natural Order Hypothesis __ - Models first language acquisition Natural progression 1. Preproduction, comprehension, or silent stage or period - No words. 2. Early production - one-to-two word sentences. 3. Speech emergence - three-to-four word sentences. 4. Intermediate Fluency - errors are developmental and students will outgrow them as they are exposed to what is appropriate or correct.

__ The Monitor Hypothesis ____ - __ When the learners know the rules of the language, they can employ them to correct what they are thinking about saying (self-correct) or to correct what they have said (self-repair). In order to work, the learners...

Second language learners who are literate in their first language and adult second language learners are more likely to use their monitors.
 * need to have time to think about what they are about to say or have said
 * need to focus on "form," how do I say it so that it is correct?
 * must have knowledge and be able to apply the rules

__ The Input Hypothesis __ - aka Comprehensible Input Hypothesis + 1. Input needs to be comprehensible, but it also needs to be slightly beyond the students' current level of competency. i+1 comprehensible input plus 1-slighly beyond the students current level of proficiency. Teachers must present materials in ways that are not tied to language.
 * use more visuals, objects, realia, manipulatives, gesturing, modeling, "parentese" (repeat, rephrase, slower speech), charts, graphs, maps.
 * give positive feedback to the students to encourage their risk taking.

__ Affective Filter Hypothesis __ - Most important affective variable favoring second language acquisition are a low-anxiety learning environment, students motivation to learn the language, self-confidence, and self-esteem. Able to acquire language if in an environment where they feel accepted, where they are free to take risks and know if they make mistakes, they will not be "ridiculed." Taken from []



** STILL CURIOUS??? ** Find out more about Krashen and his life at the following website: []

Learn more about The Natural Approach at the following website: []

Anna Costa Graduate Assistant Middle Tennessee State University Certified Pre-K teacher, working on ESL endorsement aec2y@mtmail.mtsu.edu