Stephen Krashen (
University of Southern California) is a noted linguistics expert. His research specializes in how we learn languages and develop reading, speaking and writing skills. Much recent research is about non-English and bilingual language acquisition. However, he has also researched grammar acquisition in both native and non-non-native speakers. During the past 20 years, He has published over 100 books and articles and has been invited to deliver over 300 lectures at universities throughout the
United States and
Canada.
Following is a description of his widely known and well accepted theory of second language acquisition. Krashen's work has had tremendous influence on second language research and teaching. As a result, the "prescriptive" (rule learning & memorization) approach has largely been abandoned in favor or "descriptive" (competency and producing meaning) approach.
Krashen's theory of second language acquisition consists of five main hypotheses:
- the Acquisition-Learning hypothesis
- the Monitor hypothesis
- the Natural Order hypothesis
- the Input hypothesis
- the Affective Filter hypothesis.
