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The Natural Approach: Language Acquisition in the Classroom
1983 Natural Language Acquisition in the Classroom (P) by Stephen D. Krashen & Tracy D. Terrell *** 9780880840057 ***191 Pages 9"x6"
Paperback
First published October 1, 1983
33 people are currently reading
620 people want to read
About the author
Stephen D. Krashen
37 books147 followersStephen Krashen is professor emeritus at the University of Southern California, who moved from the linguistics department to the faculty of the School of Education in 1994. He is a linguist, educational researcher, and activist.
Dr. Krashen has published more than 350 papers and books, contributing to the fields of second-language acquisition, bilingual education, and reading. He is credited with introducing various influential concepts and terms in the study of second-language acquisition, including the acquisition-learning hypothesis, the input hypothesis, the monitor hypothesis, the affective filter, and the natural order hypothesis. Most recently, Krashen promotes the use of free voluntary reading during second-language acquisition, which he says "is the most powerful tool we have in language education, first and second."
Dr. Krashen also holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and was the winner of the 1978 Venice Beach Open Incline Press. He spent two years in Ethiopia teaching English and science with the Peace Corps.
Dr. Krashen has published more than 350 papers and books, contributing to the fields of second-language acquisition, bilingual education, and reading. He is credited with introducing various influential concepts and terms in the study of second-language acquisition, including the acquisition-learning hypothesis, the input hypothesis, the monitor hypothesis, the affective filter, and the natural order hypothesis. Most recently, Krashen promotes the use of free voluntary reading during second-language acquisition, which he says "is the most powerful tool we have in language education, first and second."
Dr. Krashen also holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and was the winner of the 1978 Venice Beach Open Incline Press. He spent two years in Ethiopia teaching English and science with the Peace Corps.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 4, 2016
What is the book about?
The book is about the Natural Approach, a language learning/teaching approach the author asserts is superior to other approaches.
What problem was the author trying to solve?
He wanted to understand the principles by which languages are learned and how one can use them to teach more effectively.
What are the main arguments? Do I agree?
* languages are only acquired by understanding messages
* there is a difference between unconscious acquisition and conscious learning, both have their uses but learning is not nearly as important as acquisition
* attitude effects acquisition
I agree partly because it makes sense and is well-argued, partly because of my own experience and partly because of the mentioned science. Krashen earned by trust by devoting a page to the rules of science and the degree of certainty regarding the truth of his hypotheses.
What did I learn?
I already knew the basic theses, but reading the book gave me more insights into the implications and applications.
It made me think about his five hypothesis more in-depth, in what way they are supported by science and what caveats apply.
Which three facts, ideas or principles do I want to remember the most?
* we learn languages with interesting comprehensible input
* errors are often best corrected with more input
* grammar and production emerge naturally
Which of my beliefs were challenged?
None, unfortunately. However, this is mainly the case because I already researched Krashen's theses beforehand and got convinced.
A possible exception is his suggestion that extensive reading (rapid reading for main ideas of long text) is more useful than intensive reading (for complete understanding).
How did my life change by reading this book?
I will hopefully be a better German teacher and explain the method better and with more confidence to my students.
What are three action items I learned that I need to implement as soon as possible?
* explain the method to my students because they might expect learning and drill
* instill a sense of community in my students
* make my content more interesting and engaging
What else did I like about the book?
I feel like nothing has been left unmentioned.
Which other books were mentioned?
among others:
* The Teaching of Modern Foreign Languages in the United States: A Report Prepared for the Modern Foreign Language Study by Algernon Coleman (editor)
* Teaching Foreign Languages: An Historical Sketch by Renzo Titone
What were the most memorable quotes?
* "The central hypothesis of the theory is that language acquisition occurs in only one way: by understanding messages."
* "Language is best taught when it is being used to transmit messages, not when it is explicitly taught for conscious learning."
The book is about the Natural Approach, a language learning/teaching approach the author asserts is superior to other approaches.
What problem was the author trying to solve?
He wanted to understand the principles by which languages are learned and how one can use them to teach more effectively.
What are the main arguments? Do I agree?
* languages are only acquired by understanding messages
* there is a difference between unconscious acquisition and conscious learning, both have their uses but learning is not nearly as important as acquisition
* attitude effects acquisition
I agree partly because it makes sense and is well-argued, partly because of my own experience and partly because of the mentioned science. Krashen earned by trust by devoting a page to the rules of science and the degree of certainty regarding the truth of his hypotheses.
What did I learn?
I already knew the basic theses, but reading the book gave me more insights into the implications and applications.
It made me think about his five hypothesis more in-depth, in what way they are supported by science and what caveats apply.
Which three facts, ideas or principles do I want to remember the most?
* we learn languages with interesting comprehensible input
* errors are often best corrected with more input
* grammar and production emerge naturally
Which of my beliefs were challenged?
None, unfortunately. However, this is mainly the case because I already researched Krashen's theses beforehand and got convinced.
A possible exception is his suggestion that extensive reading (rapid reading for main ideas of long text) is more useful than intensive reading (for complete understanding).
How did my life change by reading this book?
I will hopefully be a better German teacher and explain the method better and with more confidence to my students.
What are three action items I learned that I need to implement as soon as possible?
* explain the method to my students because they might expect learning and drill
* instill a sense of community in my students
* make my content more interesting and engaging
What else did I like about the book?
I feel like nothing has been left unmentioned.
Which other books were mentioned?
among others:
* The Teaching of Modern Foreign Languages in the United States: A Report Prepared for the Modern Foreign Language Study by Algernon Coleman (editor)
* Teaching Foreign Languages: An Historical Sketch by Renzo Titone
What were the most memorable quotes?
* "The central hypothesis of the theory is that language acquisition occurs in only one way: by understanding messages."
* "Language is best taught when it is being used to transmit messages, not when it is explicitly taught for conscious learning."
February 9, 2016
While it has been shown to not be as effective as Krashen wished, it is still a must-read. Extremely interesting and full of good ideas nonetheless.
January 24, 2015
As a teacher who teaches Chinese as a second language, it's a must read book. I love Professor Krashen theories. The book not only introduced theories, but also provided lots of practical ideas of how to implants the theories into classroom. I love the book
September 11, 2013
Going back to how things are naturally acquired or originally learned is a great way of achieving good results.
December 25, 2014
When it comes to language teaching, I side with Krashen.
June 15, 2017
I had to read the book for my DipTESOL course and thought it was a great introduction to the second language acquisition theory and the Natural Approach. The book suggests some practical applications of the method and talks about the development of all four skills both in and outside the classroom.
October 20, 2021
Obviously a book for language teachers and people that work in the field, but not too dry and not too terse. It introduces a lot of interesting concepts and ideas that might make you think differently about how to learn a new language.
For me it definitely gave new fuel to my learning of German, which I hope will steer to a more natural approach based on acquisition rather than learning.
For me it definitely gave new fuel to my learning of German, which I hope will steer to a more natural approach based on acquisition rather than learning.
August 11, 2013
I might add to the other reviews of this book that it is quite easy to read -- not that academic in tone. I read it for my Cambridge DELTA course and some of it has definitely stuck with me, especially the "affective filter" hypothesis.
Want to read
January 12, 2016this is really good book because i can learn from this book
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews