Which Krashen concept explains the idea of a natural order of acquisition for certain grammar items?

Which Krashen concept explains the idea of a natural order of acquisition for certain grammar items?

• A. Affective filter
• B. Natural order hypothesis
• C. Monitor model
• D. Input hypothesis

Answer: (B)

Natural order hypothesis posits that the grammar items a learner acquires follow a predictable sequence, regardless of how much instruction they receive. Across learners, certain features tend to surface early in the development of interlanguage, while others appear later, suggesting a built-in progression in how the mental grammar unfolds. This idea doesn’t deny that input and practice matter; it explains why some forms seem to emerge naturally while others require more time or different instructional focus. For teachers, it means recognizing that you can expect a general path of acquisition and aligning practice to support forms as they become accessible, rather than forcing late forms too soon. Other Krashen ideas explain how meaningful input and emotional factors influence uptake and how the monitor edits language, but they don’t specify a fixed sequence for grammar items.

Natural order hypothesis posits that the grammar items a learner acquires follow a predictable sequence, regardless of how much instruction they receive. Across learners, certain features tend to surface early in the development of interlanguage, while others appear later, suggesting a built-in progression in how the mental grammar unfolds. This idea doesn’t deny that input and practice matter; it explains why some forms seem to emerge naturally while others require more time or different instructional focus. For teachers, it means recognizing that you can expect a general path of acquisition and aligning practice to support forms as they become accessible, rather than forcing late forms too soon. Other Krashen ideas explain how meaningful input and emotional factors influence uptake and how the monitor edits language, but they don’t specify a fixed sequence for grammar items.