The natural approach

Definition

The natural approach is a method of language teaching that emphasizes natural communication and comprehension in a low-stress environment. This approach prioritizes meaningful interaction over explicit grammar instruction and focuses on providing learners with comprehensible input, allowing them to acquire language skills in a way that mirrors first language acquisition.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The natural approach was developed by Stephen Krashen and Tracy Terrell in the 1980s, highlighting the importance of meaningful communication in language learning.
2. This method promotes a relaxed learning environment where students are not forced to speak until they feel ready, reducing anxiety and increasing confidence.
3. The focus is on comprehension before production, allowing learners to absorb vocabulary and grammar through context rather than direct instruction.
4. Activities in the natural approach often include storytelling, role plays, and other interactive methods that encourage authentic communication.
5. The effectiveness of the natural approach has been supported by research indicating that learners exposed to comprehensible input are more likely to achieve fluency.

Review Questions

• How does the natural approach differ from traditional grammar-focused language teaching methods?
  • The natural approach contrasts sharply with traditional grammar-focused methods by emphasizing communication and understanding rather than rote learning of grammatical rules. In this approach, learners engage in meaningful interactions, which facilitates a more organic acquisition of the language. Traditional methods often require learners to focus on explicit grammar instruction, whereas the natural approach encourages them to absorb the language naturally through context and interaction.
• Discuss the role of comprehensible input in the natural approach and its significance for language acquisition.
  • Comprehensible input is a cornerstone of the natural approach, as it provides learners with language that is slightly beyond their current proficiency level. This concept is crucial because it helps students make sense of new vocabulary and structures within meaningful contexts. By receiving input that they can understand, learners can acquire language naturally, similar to how children learn their first language, which enhances their overall proficiency and fluency.
• Evaluate the impact of a low-stress learning environment on language acquisition as promoted by the natural approach compared to more conventional methods.
  • A low-stress learning environment, as promoted by the natural approach, significantly impacts language acquisition by fostering motivation and confidence among learners. When students feel relaxed and unpressured to produce the target language immediately, they are more likely to engage with the material and take risks in using the language. This contrasts with conventional methods that may induce anxiety through rigorous assessments and immediate speaking expectations, potentially hindering learners' willingness to practice and develop their skills.

Related terms

Comprehensible Input: Language input that is slightly above the current level of the learner, making it understandable yet challenging, facilitating language acquisition.

Krashen's Input Hypothesis:

A theory proposed by Stephen Krashen stating that language learners acquire language best when they receive input that is understandable and slightly beyond their current proficiency level, denoted as 'i+1.'

Communicative Language Teaching: An approach to language teaching that focuses on enabling students to communicate effectively and meaningfully in real-life situations.