Stephen+Krashen

**Biography:** Stephen Krashen was born in Chicago in 1941. He spent 2 years in the Peace Corp in Ethiopia where he taught 8th grade English and science. In 1972, Krashen received a Ph.D. in Linguistics at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has published over 350 books and papers. Perhaps one of his most important accomplishments was his development of the Natural Approach to Second Language Acquisition and the Five Hypotheses to second language learning.

** ﻿ Reference: ** //Biography of Stephen Krashen.// Retrieved from []

**The Natural Approach:** The Natural Approach is the idea that English language learners acquire the rules of the language through communication and interaction. Krashen stresses the importance of vocabulary and that language is a method in which English language learners communicate meanings and messages. The naturalist approach also stresses for communication to be the main function of language.

**Reference:** Kiymazarslan, V. (1995). //The Natural Approach. What Is It?// Retrieved from []

"Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com" []

**Krashen's Five Hypotheses:**

1. ** The Natural Order Hypothesis // - //** an English language learner acquires the rules of language in a natural order 2. ** The Acquisition vs. Learning Hypothesis ** - Acquisition is when children acquire language, they do it subconsciously through interacting with others. Learning language is where one learns it consciously through drills and deliberate conversations. 3. ** The Monitor Hypothesis ** - when a student acquires a system of language. The "monitor" takes over when a student makes a mistake in grammar when they speak, and immediately corrects themselves. 4. **Input Hypothesis-** the student can only acquire language when it is increasingly more difficult than their actual language level 5. ** Affective Filter Hypothesis- ** proposes that children cannot learn a language because of “mental blocks,” distractions, or affective filters

** References: **

Cook, V. Krashen’s Five Hypotheses. Retrieved from []

//The Natural Approach to Second Language Acquisition.// Retrieved from [] **Resources for Teachers and Parents:**

1. The following website provides more information about Stephen Krashen and his theory on language learning.
 * // Steven Krashen's Theory of Second Language Acquisition. //
 * []

2. This website gives more of an explanation of Krashen's Five Hypotheses.
 * //Language Impact//
 * []



**Contact Information:**
 * Elena Heath
 * Humphreys County ESL Coordinator
 * heathe@hcss.org

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