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Research Article

Study on Optimal Input Forms in Second Language Acquisition from the Perspective of Krashen’s Input Hypothesis

Yike ZengSchool of Foreign Languages, Sichuan University Jinjiang College, Meishan, China*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

In the early 1980s, American linguist Stephen Krashen proposed a series of hypotheses in the field of second language acquisition (SLA), including the Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis, Natural Order Hypothesis, Monitor Hypothesis, Input Hypothesis, and Affective Filter Hypothesis. Among these, the Input Hypothesis stands as the central and most pivotal component, constituting a cornerstone of theoretical research in SLA. In recent years, Krashen and Beniko Mason have conducted in-depth refinements on the Input Hypothesis, and introduced Story Listening (SL) and Guided Self-Selected Reading (GSSR) as optimal input forms. These innovations provide innovative theoretical frameworks and practical pathways for advancing SLA research and pedagogy. This paper systematically reviews the theoretical underpinnings of the Input Hypothesis through a literature synthesis methodology, elucidating the definitions, implementation mechanisms, and empirical efficacy of optimal input forms. The study concludes that comprehension-based input methods significantly enhance the efficiency of language acquisition.

Keywords: Input hypothesis; Optimal Input Modalities; Story-Listening; Guided Self-Selected Reading; Krashen
Published: June 13, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.BO23961
Volume: CHR Vol.67
pp. 187-191
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