LAWRENCE´S ENGLISH ZONE: STEPHEN KRASHEN AND NATURAL APPROACH

Krashen’s Theory

Second
language acquisition

Krashen’s
Theory

The theory developed by Stephen
Krashen consists of five hypotheses:

The Acquisition-Learning: In this
hypothesis, there are two independent systems the first one is the
acquired system or acquisition, is the product of a subconscious
process. It requires natural communication, in which speakers are concentrated
in the communicative act. The second one is the 'learned system' or
learning, is the product of formal instruction and it
comprises a conscious process.

The Monitor hypothesis explains the
relationship between acquisition and learning. It defines the influence of the
latter on the former. The monitoring function is the practical result of the
learned grammar. The acquisition system is the statement initiator, The monitor
acts in a planning, editing and correcting function when three specific
conditions are met.

The Natural
Order hypothesis explains that the acquisition of grammatical structures
follows a 'natural order' which is predictable. Krashen points out and rejects
grammatical sequencing when the goal is language acquisition.

The Input
hypothesis is concerned with 'acquisition', not 'learning'. According to
this 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.

The Affective
Filter hypothesis, explains that affective variables play a facilitative,
but non-causal, role in second language acquisition. These variables include:
motivation, self-confidence and anxiety. Krashen says that learners with
positive affect are better equipped for success in second language acquisition.

Krashen, Stephen D. Principles and Practice in Second Language
Acquisition. Prentice-Hall International, 1987.

Krashen, Stephen D.
Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Learning.
Prentice-Hall International, 1988.

lunes, 4 de junio de 2012

STEPHEN KRASHEN AND NATURAL APPROACH

Stephen Krashen was born in 1941 in Chicago, IL. He received his Ph.D. in Linguistics at the University of California, Las Angeles. Dr. Krashen has published more than 350 papers and books on Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition. He is best known for his work in the field of English as a Second Language. He developed the idea of the Natural Approach and the Five Hypothesis to Second Language Acquisition. His work is so important to the field of ESL because he changed the first ideas of Behaviorism, Innatism, and Interactionist theories.

The Natural Approach
The Natural Approach is the work of Stephen Krashen and Tracy Terrell. There are two tenants that are the basis of the Natural Approach – one is language learning, the L2 learner must know the rules of the language such as the grammar. The other tenant is language acquisition – the ability to speak and understand the language, this taking place when communication occurs.

STEPHEN KRASHEN AND THE NATURAL APPROACH