Stephen Krashen

He was born in 1941 in Chicago, Illinois. He is currently still alive. He is a linguist

specializing in theories of language acquisition and development, educational researcher and
activist. During the past 20 years, he has published well over 100 books and articles and has
been invited to deliver over 300 lectures at universities throughout the United States and
Canada.

The Natural Approach (NA) is a product of Stephen Krashen, and Tracy Terrell. The Natural Approach,
like TPR, is based on understanding and comprehension because of its emphasis on (silent period) in
the production of language. What is new is that the NA focuses on exposure to a language instead of
grammar practice, and on the emotional state and ability suitable for acquisition to take place.

According to Krashen there is no fundamental difference between the way we acquire our
first language and our subsequent languages. He claims that humans have an innate ability
that guides the language learning process. Infants learn their mother tongue simply by listening
attentively to spoken language that is (made) meaningful to them. Foreign languages are acquired in
the same way.

There are 5 hypotheses Krashen lists that are an important theoretical base of language acquisition.

The Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis You can develop the language ability by acquisition or by
learning. When you develop it by acquisition you develop it, for example, just by living in a foreign
country and picking the language up from the streets. And when you develop the language by
learning you learn it by learning lessons and through grammar. Acquisition is an unconscious process
of learning and learning is conscious.

When looking at the Natural Order Hypothesis it is predicted that learning grammar rules comes in a
linear fashion and the foreign language teaching materials should be arranged in accordance with
this sequence.

The Input Hypothesis relates to acquisition not learning. People acquire language best by
understanding input that is a little beyond their current level of knowledge.

The Monitor Hypothesis is concerned with the learning process and its natural development based
on instinct formed by acquisition. The use of this Monitor should be discouraged because the
production of language should be natural.

The Affective Filter Hypothesis claims that language acquisition should be achieved in a low stress
environment. There should be a comfortable atmosphere in the classroom.

The Natural Approach with its strong learning theory and easily applicable techniques is the strongest
nominee for the most common method of the 21st century. In Krashens view; acquisition is the
natural assimilation of language rules by using language for communication. These hypotheses are
easily applicable because the material is interesting, relevant and comprehensible. Humans cannot
both learn and acquire at the same time, because of that acquisition and learning activities should be
separated. The fact that the teacher should be tolerant for errors is ok to some extent. If there is no
monitoring or little monitoring included in language acquisition we cant help but wonder whether
the students would be misled. The language acquisition is adapted to the learner and the teacher
can put the emphasis on reading and learning. There are advantages and disadvantages in this
approach as in every other, but at least one of these hypotheses can be used in everyday teaching
because of its ability to give students freedom in learning and language acquisition.