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Comprehensible Input or CI Written by Ramsay Lewis

Comprehensible Input (CI) is a language acquisition approach emphasizing understanding language through context rather than explicit grammar instruction. Research indicates that exposure to language, such as reading and listening, significantly enhances linguistic abilities compared to traditional methods focused on memorization. For English learners, prioritizing input activities while gradually incorporating output activities is essential for effective language acquisition.

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Juan Jose Loaiza
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54 views3 pages

Comprehensible Input or CI Written by Ramsay Lewis

Comprehensible Input (CI) is a language acquisition approach emphasizing understanding language through context rather than explicit grammar instruction. Research indicates that exposure to language, such as reading and listening, significantly enhances linguistic abilities compared to traditional methods focused on memorization. For English learners, prioritizing input activities while gradually incorporating output activities is essential for effective language acquisition.

Uploaded by

Juan Jose Loaiza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Comprehensible Input or CI written by Ramsay Lewis

1. What is it?
2. Hypothesis
3. Traditional grammar vs CI
4. What does this mean for you—the English learner?
5. Conclusions

1. What is it?
input refers to the data or information that a program receives from an external source. It
refers to reading and listening abilities in the acquisition of languages.

And Output is speaking and writing.

CI is language (spoken, written, visual) that learners can understand even if they don’t know every
word. Context clues and prior knowledge help fill in meanin

Hypothesis

Ramsay Lewis emphasizes that CI lies at the core of unconscious language acquisition—learning
language as you naturally absorb materials you can follow, rather than through explicit grammar
drills.

 Researchers have found evidence that reading is more effective than


practice exercises for improving vocabulary and spelling.

 It’s not just reading. Researchers have also found that children who heard
more stories in pre-school were judged to have better linguistic abilities
at age 10.

 Together, these results suggest that it is exposure to language, and not


language instruction, that results in better linguistic development.

 There’s also significant evidence that second languagelearners regularly


acquire grammar rules that they havenever been taught, demonstrating
that languageacquisition can happen without instruction.
Traditional grammar vs CI

 Traditional methods often rely on memorizing grammar rules and vocabulary before
comprehension.

 CI turns this upside down—focus first on meaning and communication, and let grammar
be absorbed gradually and implicitly

the Benefits

 Natural acquisition: CI supports learning without conscious study; it mimics how


children acquire their first language

 Boosts listening comprehension: By engaging with input you mostly understand,


your ability to comprehend spoken language improves, establishing a foundation for
other skills

 Grammar mastery emerges naturally: Over time, learners internalize grammar


patterns from context-rich input—no structured lessons required

What does this mean for you—the English


learner?

Make sure you give yourself lots of input. Read lotsand listen lots.

Include output activities (speaking and writing), butfocus on them a bit less than
input activities.
Input and output are necessary for both English language acquisition, and grammar is just the
monitor of the process.

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