Question

According to Krashen, what is the ideal characteristic of output in the language acquisition process?

• A. A. It should be grammatically perfect to reinforce learning.
• B. B. It is primarily a result of acquisition, not a cause of it.
• C. C. It must be corrected immediately by the teacher.
• D. D. It serves as the main source of 'i+1' input.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. B. It is primarily a result of acquisition, not a cause of it.

Krashen's Views on Output in Language Acquisition

• According to Stephen Krashen's Input Hypothesis, language acquisition primarily occurs through exposure to 'comprehensible input', which is language that is slightly beyond the learner's current level (i+1) but still understandable.
• Krashen posits that the ability to produce language (output) is a result of successful acquisition, not a direct cause or prerequisite for it. He argues that speaking ability emerges naturally as learners receive sufficient comprehensible input.
• This perspective contrasts with other theories that emphasize the importance of 'output practice' (e.g., the Output Hypothesis by Merrill Swain) for developing fluency and accuracy.
• Krashen distinguishes between 'acquisition' (a subconscious process similar to how children learn their first language) and 'learning' (a conscious process of knowing rules). He believes true fluency comes from acquisition.
• Output, for Krashen, is mainly used for communication and to elicit more input, but it does not directly lead to acquisition.
• The 'Monitor Hypothesis' is related to output. Krashen suggests that the consciously 'learned' language acts as a 'monitor' or editor, checking and correcting the output produced by the 'acquired' system. This monitor is typically used when there is sufficient time, focus on form, and knowledge of the rules.
• Therefore, output is seen as evidence of successful acquisition and a means to communicate, but not the mechanism by which the internal grammar is built. The internal grammar is built by comprehensible input.