Krashen’s First Hypothesis
Acquisition/Learning Distinction
Shizra Ali
15291502-035
The Acquisition/Learning
Hypothesis
Cont…
• The 'acquired system' or 'acquisition' is
the product of a subconscious process
very similar to the process children
undergo when they acquire their first
language. It requires meaningful
interaction in the target language -
natural communication - in which
speakers are concentrated not in the
form of their utterances, but in the
communicative act.
Cont…
• The "learned system" or "learning" is
the product of formal instruction and
it comprises a conscious process
which results in conscious knowledge
'about' the language, for example
knowledge of grammar rules.
According to Krashen 'learning' is less
important than 'acquisition'.
Cont…
• The acquisition-learning hypothesis states
that both children and adults acquire
language via access to an innate language
acquisition device (LAD) regardless of age as
well as that learning cannot become
acquisition. The most important pedagogical
implication of the first hypothesis of the
Monitor Model is that explicit teaching and
learning is unnecessary, indeed inadequate,
for second language acquisition.
Application for Teaching
• According to this theory, the optimal way
a language is learned is through natural
communication. As a second language
teacher, the ideal is to create a situation
wherein language is used in order to
fulfill authentic purposes. This is turn,
will help students to ‘acquire’ the
language instead of just ‘learning’ it.
Difference in Theory
Acquisition Learning
Commprehension Hypothesis Skill Building hypothesis
Subconcious “Picking up of Concious study of language
language”
Focus on meaning Focus on Form
Acoustical(They need to hear it) Intellectual( They need to
understand it)
Focus on input Focus on output
Spontaneous meaningful outpot Forced output above the level of
acquisition
Social Cognitive
Implications from Teacher’s Point of
view
Acquisition Learning
Provide comprehensible input Explain grammer rules
Provide interesting input Provide rules and practice
Provide compelling input Force output above the level of
acquisition
Informal Formal
Circling delivery Linear delivery
Repetition in the target Language Long explanations in L1
Continue…
L2 is used to talk to talk about L1 is used to talk about L2 rules
content
Contextualized language use Context free examples
Little to no error correction Frequent error correction
Easy to get them to talk in Target Have to think of ways to get them
Language to talk in Target Language
Self motivating Students require external
motivation
Implementation from Student’s Point
of view
Acquisition Learning
Using the language Studying about the language
Student wants to listen Student must respond
Can use it now Can use it years from now,Once
have leart enough
Feels easy Feels Difficult
Speaking the language for a reason Practicing the language
Repeated input Repeated output
Works with attendent and involved students Works with smart students
Continue…
Automatic utterances Planned utterances
Spontenous speech Plaaned/Forced speech
Non Rehearsed utterances Premediated utterances
Short reactive answers Long planned answers
Attention is on the message Attention is on the structure
Teacher speaks Target Language Students are forced to speak in
Target Language
Dependent upon meaningful Can be independent of interaction
interaction
Works for all students Works for some students