Krashen 5 Hypotheses

Being able to encounter topics worth mentioning is in fact more than a challenge oftentimes. Thus, the reason why this blog has remained stagnant for some time. Apart from my daily obligations that is. English teaching is a subject I have not dealt with in a while now. Hence, I decided to give Steven Krashen's Theory of Second Language Acquisition the opportunity to shine once again. In the following, I will be addressing its five main hypotheses and expand on some.

 

First of all, I would like to point out the difference between language acquisition and language learning. What most students do in a classroom setting (Learning grammar rules, performing group tasks, drilling activities, among others.) would be considered as "learning". Whereas, what people do when they move to a country where the target language is spoken would be known as "acquisition".

More often than not, acquisition takes place when the learner receives "comprehensible input". Which is input that is slightly above the learner's. However, it is still understandable to them. Despite not knowing all the words. Due to different factors. Such us the gist of the message, body language, etc. Both concepts are crucial to mastering a foreign language. It is how we use them though that determines our success with it. Now that these to concepts are out of the way, let us proceed with the hypotheses themselves.

 

1. Comprehensible input +1/ Input hypothesis: Krashen believed that if the input a student receives was meaningful enough and slightly above their level, they would still be able to acquire it. This of course includes understanding the message by receiving the aforesaid "comprehensible input".

For instance, students could understand what a song is trying to express because their teacher uses body language.

2. Monitor hypothesis: In other words, being aware of what your are learning. When we reach certain age, we all have a monitor in our minds. This helps us better produce written material for example. Even so, it inhibits speech if the learner is too conscious about what he is about to say.

3. Natural order hypothesis: When learning a language, we all follow a reasonable sequence of patterns. There are grammar structures and parts of language that must be learned before others for us to build on our previous knowledge. Case in point, nouns are learned first when studying a language.

4. The affective filter hypothesis: How students feel about themselves at the time of learning is imperative to their success. If they have a high affective filter, they develop a mental block that prevents them from reaching their LAD (Language acquisition device). Consequently, it is our duty us educators to provide a fulfilling and comfortable environment where students feel motivated.

5. The acquisition-learning hypothesis: Students have two main ways so as to reach mastery in a second language: Acquisition, by using language for real-life communication. As well as learning, that understanding how the language works.

 

In summary, I would say it is not always enough to know about all these theories and approaches from language experts. We have to apply them in the classroom in a sensible manner so as to start seeing an improvement. Reason being why having an eclectic approach to teaching is highly regarded nowadays. Keep in mind that the more creative you are with your lessons, the more you will be able to capture your student's interest. Needless to say that taking into account their learning styles and intelligences is a must too. 

 

Sources:

- https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/comprehensible-input

- http://www.viviancook.uk/SLA/Krashen.htm

- Joan Wink's YouTube Channel.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Therapist Kati Morton

Recently, did I encounter a topic that made me realize how important it is to receive the right treatment for your condition to improve considerably faster. Notwithstanding, in countries such as mine, where the health care system is corrupt and therapists see patients more as a means to make  money more than anything else, the recovery process takes longer than necessary. In the following post, I will be addressing the main principles CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy), and how useful it can be for a person diagnosed with depression and anxiety, among others.

 

Most therapies focus on patients talking about their past experiences no-end. Be that is may, CBT is a more structured method that tackles current thoughts, behaviors, and difficulties. For instance, a person could be constantly grumbling about the fact that their father abandoned them at a young age. Thus, blaming that past unpleasant experience to how they presently feel. Still and all, it is the thought of that past occurrence that makes the patient feel miserable and not the experience on itself. Hence, the aim of CBT is to search for different avenues improve the state of mind of the person on a daily basis.

Not only does CBT treat people with anxiety and depression. It can also help people with:

 

- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

- Panic Disorder.

- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

- Phobias.

- Eating disorders - such as anorexia and bulimia.

- Sleep problems - such as insomnia.

- Problems related to alcohol misuse.

 

A regular patient will usually have between 5 to 20 sessions (Each of them lasting 30 to 60 minutes). Their actions and feelings are usually connected to their thoughts. Therefore, the goal of therapist is to aid the patient break down their problems into the three aforesaid parts. Both the patient and the therapist will examine the areas to work on. As a result, the specialist will be able to design a way to help the person switch their mindset and turn unhelpful thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. CBT has proven to be quite effective and in some cases, it can even replace medication. Nevertheless, more severe cases do need CBT to work in conjunction with medication.

Once the patient has made some progress, they are going to be tasked with confronting their problem progressively. Case in point, Joe Wells (Author of the book "Touch and Go Joe" and former OCD patient) had to perform tasks such as taking out trash into the recycling bin without tapping the lid several times (One of the rituals he used to perform so as not to have his "soul" snatched from him). He moved on to take part in even more challenging tasks. Even though his anxiety raised at the beginning of his tasks, it eventually went on to drop dramatically as time progressed.

 

Lastly, I would say that CBT might be one of the many types of therapy available. Albeit, it is still highly effective. It does however, take commitment from the patient himself who wants to see changes in the long run. Moreover, it is essential that the person does not feel discouraged only due to having a "bad day". Following the therapist's instructions diligently and fighting the negative thoughts with the right treatment is imperative to expedite the recovery process. Having said that, there is not "magic pill" and no treatment is 100% efficient when it comes to OCD for example. Consequently, the patient himself has to have the right attitude and put in the necessary amount of work for the recovery to be as successful as possible.

Sources:
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/
- Touch and Go Joe - An Adolescent's Experience with OCD - Joe Wells.
- Kati Morton YouTube Video.