Post 84: The Input Hypothesis

The Input Hypothesis

Krashen also proposed the Input Hypothesis which states that a teacher teaches a foreign language just above the learner's present level of language learning. In other words, the teacher needs to do a needs analysis of the class to see what level of language learning the students in his/her class are. When I teach a language, I judge the students' level by how well they respond to basic questions like, "Comment ca va?" "Je vais bien, merci". In the online French classes I have taught, I had a whole range of students from beginning to advanced students in one class as my online school offered French I, French II and French III.  In schools where there is a placement test, then you put all beginning students in one class, all intermediate students in one class and all advanced students in another class. So with Krashen's Input Hypothesis, the teacher gauges the level of the student and then teaches just above that level--this practice of teaching just above that students' level is called by Krashen the i + 1.  Of all of Krashen's theories, I have used the Input Theory the most.

Krashen has proof that his Input Theory works. When a parent talks to his child, he/she gauges her level of speech based on the age and speech level of a child. Ever see a parent 'babble' to a baby? Or talk baby talk or simple speech to a baby or small child? A parent would even use a certain tone of voice when talking to a child. Adults automatically slow their speech to fit the level of a child who is acquiring its first language. As a result of just giving the child linguistic input just above the child's level, the child can successfully learn his/her first language.

The FL  or ESL teacher can do the same with her students. When you have beginning language students, the teacher adjusts her speech to talk slowly to the students. How slowly the teacher speaks is based on the level of fluency of her students. If her students are very fluent or have native like fluency in the FL, then the teacher can speak at a normal speed, however, if dealing with beginning students, she adjusts her speech to be just above the students' comprehension level so the students can get the rich linguistic comprehensible input they need to learn a FL.

The teacher's job is to give learners comprehensible input so learners can focus on meaning of language vs form just like how NS learn their first language as children. Teachers simplify their speech and provide materials at just the right level so students can understand from context. Krashen postulates that as long as students can understand most input, they can acquire language. To ensure in put is comprehensible, teachers can use pictures, gestures, role play, video dialogues, have students produce their own plays in the target language, or have debates in the target language.