Krashen's+Work

= = = = = = = The Natural Approach to Language Acquisition = = = = **Stephen Krashen, who is he?** =

Stephen Krashen is an expert in the field of linguistics, specializing in theories of language acquisition and development. Much of his research has involved the study on non-English and bilingual language acquisition. Recently Dr. Krashen's research has focused on reading and its effects on language acquisition and academic success. During the past 20 years, he has published hundreds of books and articles and has been invited to deliver over 500 lectures at universities throughout the United States and the rest of the world.

http://www.usc.edu/dept/education/CMMR/LLL/LLL_homepage.html

• **The Natural Approach**
The Natural Approach is a Krashen’s Language Acquisition model. The general idea behind the Natural Approach is that language is best acquired in its natural environment. Language must occur naturally. It also equally important that the language used must be meaningful. The basic framework for Language Acquisition in this approach is as follows:

Comprehension comes before production. Production is allowed to emerge in stages. The goal of learning must be to communicate. Classroom activities must be designed to help lower the affective filter.

= **The Five Hypotheses:** =

This hypothesis states that there are two ways of learning language. There is Language Acquisition, which simply means using language in a meaningful way. On the other hand, there is Language Learning, which focuses on rules and the application thereof.
 * • Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis**

This hypothesis states that grammar structures are learned in a predictable, natural order. Simpler structures come first, followed by more complex structures.
 * • The Natural Order Hypothesis**

This hypothesis states that learners take what they acquire and apply it to a monitor. The monitor is then utilized by the learner when they are speaking. For example, grammar rules are added to the monitor. Then, when speaking, the speaker applies the grammar rules to what they say.
 * • The Monitor Hypothesis**

This hypothesis resembles the idea of “scaffolding”. Learners are able to learn at a slightly higher level than what they already understand. As the learn or acquire it, they are then able to use it. This raises their ability level again and they are able to then acquire something slightly higher.
 * • The Input Hypothesis**

This hypothesis has to do with all of the other factors going on with a learner. The filter should be considered as any blocking to acquisition. For example, if a student feels uncomfortable around other students, or the teacher, the student will have a harder time acquiring language. As the filter is lowered, language acquisition gets easier.
 * • The Affective Filter Hypothesis**

= **To find out more about Krashen and The Natural Approach visit the following websites.** =

Krashen and Terrell’s “Natural Approach” A well researched, short and easy to understand summary of The Natural Approach [|http://www.stanford.edu/~kenro/LAU/ICLangLit/NaturalApproach.htm]

Stephen Krashen: Children need food, healthcare, and books. Not new standards and tests. An insightful interview with Stephen Krashen. Krashen shares his thoughts on current trends in education. []