Krashen's Monitor Model - The Monitor Hypothesis

Summary

The transcript discusses Stephen Krashen's Monitor Hypothesis, which posits that explicit knowledge plays a limited role in language acquisition but acts as a monitor to check language use. It compares this learned knowledge to an editor, identifying and correcting errors in speech. The concept of interlanguage, a transitional phase where learners oscillate between languages, is also explored, emphasizing the continuous process of making and correcting mistakes until proficiency is achieved. This stage is integral for second language learners, who may never reach native-like proficiency.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The Monitor Hypothesis suggests that explicit knowledge of a language acts as a monitor to check the appropriateness of language use.
• 📚 Explicit knowledge is not as crucial in language acquisition as implicit knowledge, but it plays a role in monitoring language correctness.
• 🤔 The monitor function is akin to an editor that identifies and corrects errors in language use.
• 🗣️ An example of monitoring is the immediate correction from 'I come to the university yesterday' to 'I came to the university yesterday'.
• 🧠 The learned system in our mind continuously monitors our language use for grammatical accuracy.
• 🌐 There are three types of language knowledge: implicit, explicit, and metalinguistic (the ability to verbalize rules).
• 🔄 The monitor can work through both implicit and explicit knowledge to ensure grammatical correctness.
• 🌐 The concept of 'interlanguage' refers to the state where a learner is transitioning between two languages, often making and correcting mistakes.
• 📈 During the interlanguage stage, monitoring is a continuous process that helps in the development of language proficiency.
• 🚫 Research indicates that second language learners typically cannot achieve the same level of proficiency as native speakers.
• 🏆 Proficiency in a second language is marked by a reduction in the need for monitoring, suggesting a high level of language mastery.

Q & A

What is the Monitor Hypothesis in language learning?

The Monitor Hypothesis suggests that explicit knowledge, which is consciously learned, plays a role in monitoring language use. It acts like an editor to check if language is used appropriately.

How does the Monitor Hypothesis relate to language acquisition?

According to the Monitor Hypothesis, while explicit knowledge is not significantly involved in the unconscious process of language acquisition, it is crucial for monitoring the accuracy of language use.

What is the role of learned knowledge in language use as per the Monitor Hypothesis?

Learned knowledge helps in monitoring language to ensure its appropriate use, correcting mistakes, and guiding towards grammatically correct expressions.

Can you provide an example from the script that illustrates the Monitor Hypothesis?

Yes, the example given is saying 'I come to University yesterday' and immediately correcting it to 'I came to University yesterday', showcasing the learned knowledge monitoring and correcting language use.

What is the difference between implicit and explicit knowledge in language learning?

Implicit knowledge is unconscious and helps us know when something is incorrect without verbalizing why, whereas explicit knowledge involves conscious awareness of language rules and the ability to verbalize them.

How does the Monitor Hypothesis apply to both implicit and explicit knowledge?

The Monitor Hypothesis suggests that monitoring can occur through both implicit and explicit knowledge, correcting language use whether or not one is consciously aware of the rules.

What is meant by 'interlanguage' in the context of language learning?

Interlanguage refers to the state where a learner is in transition between two languages, making and correcting mistakes as they develop proficiency in the second language.

How does the Monitor Hypothesis connect to the concept of interlanguage?

The Monitor Hypothesis is active during the interlanguage stage, where the mind continuously monitors and corrects language use to improve proficiency.

What is the significance of the Monitor Hypothesis in second language acquisition?

It indicates that second language learners will continuously be in a state of interlanguage, with monitoring helping them improve language accuracy, though they may not achieve native-like proficiency.

Why is it said that second language learners cannot develop native-like proficiency?

Research in second language acquisition suggests that even highly proficient learners may not achieve the same level of efficiency in a second language as native speakers due to inherent differences in language processing.

How does the process of monitoring change as a learner progresses in language proficiency?

As language proficiency increases, the frequency and necessity of monitoring decrease. When a learner reaches high proficiency, they make fewer mistakes, and the monitoring process becomes less overt.