The Natural Approach (Krashen)

Summary

The Natural Approach, developed by Tracy Terrell and Stephen Krashen, is a method of language teaching focused on communication rather than grammar. It emphasizes exposure to comprehensible input and meaningful communication, drawing inspiration from how children learn their first language. Key principles include the importance of emotional factors like motivation and self-confidence, the necessity of engaging activities, and a focus on listening and reading, allowing speaking to emerge naturally. Recommendations for classroom practice highlight the use of visual aids and creating a relaxed atmosphere to facilitate effective language acquisition.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Natural Approach was developed by Tracy Terrell and Stephen Krashen, focusing on natural language acquisition.
• 😀 This method emphasizes communication over grammar, rejecting formal language organization.
• 😀 The Natural Approach is suitable for beginners, relying on observation of how individuals learn their first language.
• 😀 Comprehensible and meaningful practice activities are prioritized over producing grammatically perfect sentences.
• 😀 The approach advocates for minimizing the use of the native language in the classroom.
• 😀 Key principles include the Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis, distinguishing between natural acquisition and formal learning.
• 😀 The Input Hypothesis suggests learners acquire language best when exposed to input slightly beyond their current level.
• 😀 The Effective Filter Hypothesis highlights the importance of emotional state and motivation in language acquisition.
• 😀 Recommendations for classrooms include providing ample comprehensible input and focusing on listening and reading.
• 😀 Activities should center around meaningful communication to create a relaxed classroom atmosphere.

Q & A

What is the Natural Approach?

The Natural Approach is a language teaching method developed by Tracy Terrell and Stephen Krashen, focusing on naturalistic language acquisition principles rather than formal grammar.

What is the main focus of the Natural Approach?

The main focus of the Natural Approach is on communication and meaningful interaction rather than the formal structure of the language.

What are the key principles of language acquisition according to Krashen?

The key principles include the Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis, the Monitor Hypothesis, the Natural Order Hypothesis, the Input Hypothesis, and the Affective Filter Hypothesis.

How does the Natural Approach view grammar?

The Natural Approach rejects the formal organization of grammar and instead emphasizes communication as the central component of language use.

What is comprehensible input?

Comprehensible input refers to language that learners can understand, which is slightly above their current level, facilitating language acquisition.

What is the role of the affective filter in language learning?

The affective filter is a metaphor for the emotional factors that can either enhance or impede language acquisition, including motivation, self-confidence, and anxiety.

What recommendations are provided for English classes using the Natural Approach?

Recommendations include providing ample comprehensible input, using visual aids, focusing on listening and reading, and creating a relaxed environment for meaningful communication.

What is the Total Physical Response (TPR) method?

TPR is an approach that incorporates physical movement into language learning, helping to engage students and reinforce vocabulary through action.

Why is exposure to a wide range of vocabulary important in the Natural Approach?

A wide range of vocabulary exposure is critical because it allows students to understand and communicate more effectively without being constrained by syntactic structures.

When was the Natural Approach introduced, and in what publication?

The Natural Approach was introduced in 1983 in the book titled 'The Natural Approach' by Tracy Terrell and Stephen Krashen.