Saturday, July 18, 2009

Comprehensible Input

Stephen Krashen (1981) proposed a hypothesis of language acquisition called the input hypothesis. Krashen notes that the most critical component for acquiring a language is adequate input that is fine-tuned to a learner's level of proficiency - something Krashen terms comprehensible input. The input hypothesis stresses receptive skills because students understand more than they can produce. Consequently, teachers should provide abundant comprehensible input via meaningful activities and reduce formal study with worksheet and skills drill.
In Goode Company has been founded on the above premise. We have seen far too many English Language Learner's frustrated by standardized tests and tasks too difficult or meaningless for their needs. In Goode Company strives to make learning understandable and meaningful for all learners. We have found literature and personal experience are two powerful tools to make this possible and help students to reach the academic goals set before them. We will allow for talk and curiosity. We will create students who are able to discover and make sense of the world.


Krashen (1981) Second language acquisition and second language learning. Oxford: Pergamon.