Jimena Azua Guerrero

E1-201 Metodologa de la Enseanza del Ingls como Lengua Extranjera

Professor: Patricia Marie Anne Houde
The natural approach
It was created in 1977 by Tracy Terrell and Krashen. It main purpose is to teach language through acquisition
instead of learning. Acquisition refers to learning the language in a natural way, that is, in the same way the first
language is learned: unconsciously.
It uses vocabulary that the learners can understand and it aims to bring meaningful communication. This method
states that acquisition can take place only when people understand messages in the target language
This method is based on five hypotheses:
The acquisition/learning hypothesis: it refers to acquire language in a natural way.
The monitor hypothesis: it refers to the learner monitoring his own mistakes in order to improve.
The natural order hypothesis: it says that grammar structures are acquired in a defined order.
The input hypothesis: it suggests that acquisition occurs when the learner is exposed to language he already
knows plus a few new items. It is the theory l+1.
The affective filter hypothesis: it claims that learners acquire language better when they are feeling relaxed.
It emphasizes vocabulary learning over grammar. Actually, it does not teach grammar, it aims that the students
will acquire it through authentic communication.
The materials in this method should be authentic instead of textbooks.
It borrows activities from other methods, such as Total Physical Response.
Reflection:
I like the input hypothesis. I really believe it helps learners to acquire new language items. It also helps learners
to feel they are achieving goals. I work with adults, so this hypothesis could be introduced through reading.
However, the natural approach uses authentic texts, and that could be difficult maybe. Nevertheless, I often
include authentic texts in my class.
I also consider the affective hypothesis important. I can see the difference with my students. The students who
are confident and relaxed are much more successful than those who are not.
Nevertheless, I have to disagree with the other two theories. I am lacking knowledge on second language
acquisition, but I consider that the second language is not learned as the first one, especially with adults. My
adult students feel comfortable with grammar instruction. Moreover, I have seen that adult students find it
difficult to realize about their mistakes, so the monitor hypothesis would be difficult to do.
About the natural order hypothesis I think it must be true in some sense. I also need to read more about the topic
in order to have my own point of view.
Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2001). The Natural Approach. In Approaches and methods in language
teaching (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.