How Do Cognitive Approaches to Language Learning Work — and Why Should Teachers Know?
Cognitive approaches to language learning treat language acquisition as an active mental process — not…
Category LANGUAGE ACQUISITION & LEARNING THEORIES
Master SLA theories: Krashen’s hypotheses, interlanguage, behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, Vygotsky’s ZPD, and understanding individual learner differences.
Is Behaviorism in Language Teaching Still Relevant?
Behaviorism in language teaching treats language acquisition as habit formation through conditioning — learners develop…
The Critical Period Hypothesis: Does Age Really Matter in Language Learning?
The Critical Period Hypothesis proposes that humans have a biologically determined window from infancy to…
What Is Swain’s Output Hypothesis and Why Does It Matter for Language Learning?
Swain’s Output Hypothesis proposes that language production—speaking and writing—directly facilitates second language acquisition by pushing…
What Is the Interaction Hypothesis?
The Interaction Hypothesis states that second language acquisition occurs most effectively when learners engage in…
What is Fossilization in Language Learning and How Can You Prevent It?
When language learners repeatedly make the same errors despite years of instruction, they’ve likely encountered…
Interlanguage Theory: Understanding Student Language Development Stages
Interlanguage Theory, introduced by linguist Larry Selinker in 1972, reveals that language learners create a…
Reducing the Affective Filter: Creating Low-Anxiety Learning Environments
Teachers lower the affective filter through three core strategies: building motivation with student choice and…
The Input Hypothesis (i+1): Practical Applications in ESL Classrooms
The Input Hypothesis (i+1) states that language learners acquire new language when they understand input…
Krashen’s 5 Hypotheses Guide for Modern Language Teachers
Krashen’s 5 hypotheses revolutionized language education by proving that students acquire languages most effectively through…