2+Krashen's+Theory

Krashen's Theories on SLA

Steven Krashen is a professor at the Universtiy of California and is a linguist and an education researcher who has contributed to and developed theories about second language acquistion.He had wrote hundreds of papers, books, and won many awards. He introduces the acquisition-learning, input, monitor, affective filter, and natural order hypothesis of SLA.
 * Biography:**

There are several aspects to this approach. The first is tha language learning and language acquistion are not the same thing. Learning has to do with grammer, and acquisition is the abilty to simply speak and understand a second language.He believes that a learner will go through four stages. They will begin with early speech (simple words), then move on to function words. Sentences will begin to be constructed, then the speaker will begin to use complex sentences. Krashan also found the natural approach to based off of four principals. Comprehension precedes production. Production is allowed to emerge in stages. Learning integrates communicative goals. Classroom tasks must promote lowering the affective filter. There are five hypothesis invovled in this approach. A discription of each is as follows.
 * **The Natual Approach**

A learners learns a spoken language through acquisition, focusing solely on communication through interactions. The learning part of this hypothesis deals with learners learning specific rules, grammer, and vocabulary of a second language through instruction.
 * **The Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis**

In this hypothesis, grammatical structures are acquired, not learned. More simple structures are learned first with more complex structures are learned later.
 * **The Natual Order Hypothesis**

The learning process in this hypothesis is focused on concious learning happens after language is produces by acquisition. A "monitor" is used to self correct present errors.
 * **The Monitor Hypothesis**

This hypothesis involves giving input that is slightly above the level the learner is at. This invovles a teacher presenting a challenge for the learner to progress in a second language.
 * **The Input Hypothesis**

This hypothesis focus on the positive or negative attitudes and environment of the language learners. A high affective filter means that learner is under high stress in their new setting and have a difficulty learning the new language. A low affective filter means that there is a low stress level present and a learner will acquire a langauge more easily.
 * **﻿****The Affective Filter Hypothesis**

Steven Krashen's Theory of second langage acquisition- this site give more detail about Krashen's SLA theories in English and Spanish. []
 * Resources for Teachers and Parents**

A summary of Stephen Krashen's "Principles and Practice in second language acquisition"- This site offers more information on the 4 principles of Krashen's natural approach. []

Jennifer Lloyd Una Elementary jennifer.lloyd@mnps.org
 * Contact Information**