E.+Krashen's+Work

=The Work of Stephen Krashen=

[[image:http://www.usc.edu/dept/education/CMMR/LLL/LLLkrashen.jpg width="239" height="236" align="right"]]
This page shares information about the life and theories of Stephen Krashen, one of the most significant contributors to the field of English as a Second Language.

Biographical Information:
Stephen Krashen is a linguist most notable for his work developing the Natural Approach to Second Language Acquisition, alongside Tracy Terrell. He has published over 350 articles and books. He is currently a professor at the University of Southern California.

The Natural Approach:
The Natural Approach developed out of Krashen and Terrell's work with English Language Learners. It is built upon the premise that humans cannot acquire a new language without having comprehensible input - or input they can understand. There are four different principles of the Natural Approach:
 * 1) Comprehension precedes production
 * 2) Production is allowed to emerge in stages
 * response by nonverbal communication
 * response with a single word
 * combinations of 2-3 words
 * phrases
 * sentences
 * dialogue
 * 1) Learning integrates communicative goals
 * 2) Classroom practices must promote low stress environments

Krashen's Five Hypotheses:
Krashen's hypotheses serve to further exploration of the Natural Approach.
 * **Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis:**
 * Suggests that there are two ways to develop fluency and competency in a second language: language acquisition and language learning. Language acquisition involves learning language via meaningful contexts. Language learning involves learning specific rules of language and applying them in multiple ways.


 * **The Natural Order Hypothesis:**
 * Suggests that grammar/syntax is acquired, not learned, in a predictable, systematic order.


 * **The Monitor Hypothesis:**
 * Suggests that consciously learned language only serves as a monitor for acquired language. Consciously learned language has a limited function in the production and performance of the target language.


 * **The Input Hypothesis:**
 * Suggests that the Zone of Proximal Development is applicable to language acquisition. Language is acquired best when input is just a bit beyond the students' current competency level.


 * **The Affective Filter Hypothesis:**
 * Suggests that motivation, stress, and confidence all affect a student's ability to acquire language.

Resources:

 * Krashen and Terrell's "Natural Approach": An overview written by Ken Romeo (Stanford University)
 * A Summary of Stephen Krashen's "Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition": A summary written by Reid Wilson
 * Strategies for Using the Natural Approach: A list of activities useful for working with ELL students