Krashen’s comprehensible-input hypothesis and CALL
Krashen (1-2) proposes the two important systems of second language
performance: acquisition and learning. The acquisition system is a subconscious
process like the one in which children naturally acquire their first language which
requires meaningful interaction. It is natural communication in which speakers focus
on their communicative act rather than their utterances. However, the learning system
is a conscious process which requires formal instruction to produce conscious
knowledge regarding language, such as grammar rules. Krashen believes the
acquisition system which requires no extensive use of conscious grammatical rules
nor is tedious drill more important than the learning system. It requires natural
communication of meaningful interaction that speakers focus on the messages they
are conveying and understanding rather than the correct form of language. Thus, in
meaningful interaction, comprehensible input is the most important thing for the
students as it provides low anxiety situations and conveys the real messages they want
to communicate. This will allow them to speak when they are ready and improve
naturally from supplying communicative and comprehensible input. In the real world
of language communication, it will be very helpful if English language learners have
an opportunity to have conversations with native speakers who use simple words to
help them understand their conversation. In addition he holds that the main way
second language learners acquire language is through exposure to a large amount of
comprehensible input of the language, input which is at the ‘i+1’ level where ‘i’
represents current competency. If exposed to comprehensible input which “contains
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forms a little beyond their current stage of development”, learners will acquire new
linguistic forms as a result of this (Min, Yunxia and Zhuo 404).
Based on Stephen Krashen’s input hypothesis of language acquisition, the
channels of language input in traditional classroom teaching fall into three types:
teacher, teaching materials, and peer learners (45). However, the amount of language
input from teachers is limited, so is that of students which involves frequently-made
mistakes. It contrasts with input provided through CALL which offers opportunities
for a variety of input for interaction, practice and production. Moreover, students can
retrieve various resources of authentic materials with easy and rapid access. World
Wide Web (WWW) gives students instant access to a wide range of authentic
materials, from newspaper and magazine articles to radio broadcasts and informal
chat-rooms, and also to materials prepared specially for learners, such as grammar,
pronunciation and vocabulary exercises and tests. Apart from retrieving information
from the Internet, learners can also create their own materials, such as projects, and
share them with partner classmates or with the general public. This possibility also
adds a great deal of interest as learners communicate with a real audience. Through
the Internet, the cyber society has features that allow language students to listen and
talk to others conveniently. Consequently, students tend to enjoy using chat programs
(e.g. Camfrog video chat, Windows live messenger, Skype) through the Internet
which they can communicate by means of listening and speaking with friends and/or
foreigners all over the world.
To sum up, Krashen’s input hypothesis emphasizes that language learners
acquire language better under a subconscious process in a low anxiety through
extensive exposure of comprehensible input rather than a forcing-to-learn process. In
the past, students in a classroom received different input depending on the teacher,
certain teaching materials and peer learners. At the present time, however, CALL can
significantly increase the input which provides learners with effective selfinstructional
tasks that allow them to master prerequisite skills and course content at a
speed and a level of learning directed according to their own needs using a computer
and a wide range of resources from the World Wide Web. Therefore, it is essential
that students-especially low achievers use CALL for improving their language
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abilities so that they could become active learners and develop their language skills
through CALL technology