Krashen+and+SLA

== = = =Ste﻿phen Krashen and = =The Natural Approach to SLA = // "Language acquisition does not require extensive use of conscious grammatical rules, and does not require tedious drill." Stephen Krashen//

**__Stephen Krashen__** Stephen Krashen is a linguist, theorist, activist, and researcher who specializes in language acquisition and language development. He is a professor emeritus at the University of Southern California with a long list of books and articles to his credit. He co-founded the Natural Approach theory to SLA as a result of extensive research he conducted. His research interests also include literacy in relation to SLA and bilingual education. His impact on ESL instruction has been profound. [] []
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__**The Natural Approach**__ The Natural Approach to SLA was founded by Krashen in conjunction with Tracy Terrell in the late 1970s. Their theory heavily impacted ESL instruction. Within this theory, language acquisition is seen differently than language learning. Communication in the target language is the ultimate goal, and not knowledge of the rules and grammar of the target language. Remaining in this mindset, proficiency is acquired through meaningful interactions and not formal instruction. Also, usually the learner will be able to acquire reading and listening skills before he or she will be able to speak and write. The theory is based on five separate hypotheses: the natural order hypothesis, the acquisition-learning hypothesis, the monitor hypothesis, input hypothesis, and the affective filter hypothesis.

**__Krashen's Five Hypotheses__**

**Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis** Krashen's acquisition-hypothesis is the most widely known of the hypotheses and is based on Krashen's belief that there are two independent systems of language performance: acquired system and learned system. The acquired system gained through a subconscious process and is comprised of interactions full of meaningful communication in the target language. The learned system is gained through formal instruction and is a conscious process including the rules and grammar of the target language.

**The Natural Order Hypothesis ** Krashen's natural order hypothesis is based on the belief that the learning of the grammatical rules of a language will occur in a set order regardless of the learner's age, L1, and other factors. Even though within this hypothesis grammar is specifically discussed as being acquired, Krashen maintains that grammar knowledge should not be the ultimate goal if acquisition of the language is desired.

**The Monitor Hypothesis ** Krashen's monitor hypothesis is based on formal instruction, and therefore, the learning of the grammar and rules of the target language. The monitor hypothesis comes into play in the later stages of SLA and at the prompting of the acquired system. The term //monitor// is used to describe the action that takes place to make corrections in the target language.

**The Input Hypothesis ** Krashen's input hypothesis is based on the acquisition of the target language through the comprehension of input that is slightly beyond a learner's level. He believes that since all learners are different, a teacher must utilize natural communicative input to ensure the correct level of input for the SLA process to continue.

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Krashen's affective filter hypothesis relates to the affective variables that are embodied in each learner. If an ELL has a high affective filter due to low self-esteem, low motivation level, or some other stress, he or she will have a difficult time in acquiring the target language. On the other hand, if an ELL has a low affective filter, meaning a low stress level, high motivation level, high self-esteem, he or she will have a better chance of easily acquiring the target language.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">The Affective Filter Hypothesis **

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**__<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Resources: Krashen and The Natural Approach to SLA __** <span style="color: #404040; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Stephen Krashen appeared on PBS' Think Tank with Ben Wattenberg in April 2000. The title of that particular episode is "Does Bilingual Education Make the Grade?" Check out the transcript at PBS' website. []

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">The ESL MiniConference website has a great online interview with Krashen which was conducted by Robb Scott in 2002: //Achievement Profile: Stephen Krashen//. The interview offers insight into his position on different SLA topics including people that influenced his career. Take a look! <span style="color: #404040; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">[]

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;"> <span style="color: #404040; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">A highly informative webpage which was last revised by Ricardo Schutz on July 2, 2007 entitled "Stephen Krashen's Theory of Second Language Acquisition," is a great page to visit for an extensive look at Krashen's ideas on SLA. []

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">An interesting article written by Krashen which was published in //ESL Magazine,// relates the experiences of an immigrant from Mexico who learned Hebrew by working in an Israeli restaurant. Click here to be taken to the link to the article, "What Does it Take to Acquire Language?" []

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Contact Me!** <span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Robbin Meric <span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Graduate Student at Middle Tennessee State University in Curriculum and Instruction with a Concentration in ESL <span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Volunteer at the Rutherford County Adult Education Center's ESL class <span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Email me at: rmericesl@gmail.com