THE KRASHEN’S MONITOR MODEL

The Monitor Model is one of the theories in second language acquisition (SLA).
This model consists of the five following hypothesis which together, according to
Krashen, constitute a theory that accounts for all phenomena in SLA research and
practice:

• The Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis- adults, unlike children, have two
different and idependent means for developing ability in L2: the learning ability
(consious) and the acquisition ability (subconsious).

• The Monitor Hypothesis-Our fluency in L2 performance is not affected by what
we have learned, but by what we have acquired. In order to use this hypothesis,
three conditions should be met: knowledge of rules, focus on form and time (the
learner should have enough time to utilize conscious rules)


• The Natural Order Hypothesis-Acquisition of language structured is conducted
in a “certain predictable order”, which means that some structures are learned
earlier than others. For instance, while learning English as a second language,
some children or adults would learn the present tense earlier than the past
tense, learn nouns earlier than the possessives of nouns, etc


• The Input Hypothesis-It attempts to answer the key question of how we acquire
language, Krashen has pointed that: “Humans acquire language I only one way-
by understanding messages or by receiving comprehensible input”.


• The Effective Filter Hypothesis-In the process of second language acquisition
following effective factors may influence the result of learning: motivation (clear
goals directly determine the learning outcome) characters (more self confidence,
, greater progress in learning) emotion (it refers mainly to the degree of anxiety)



The above-mentioned five hypotheses have great impact on and made great
contribution to the second language acquisition. It is one of the first comprehensive
theories for the explanation of second language acquisition, and it has also encountered
controversies, which has in turn promoted the development of related research in
second language acquisition.