Learning Spanish - The Natural Order Hypothesis

In second language acquisition research conducteddid not consider the classroom might be an
in 1974-75, 1980 and 1987, it was postulated thatenvironment that would have some importance in
the acquisition of grammatical forms followed asecond language acquisition.
natural and predictable order. How this happens isKrashen's critics do agree with him that the mass
contingent upon multiple factors. The learner's ageteaching of a linguist's approach to cold,
and the learner's circumstances seemed not to begrammatical principles does not facilitate second
a significant influence on this natural order. Dr.language acquisition. They go on to suggest that
Krashen makes the point that this does not meanwithin a classroom, it would be best to help the
some sort of curriculum should be devised basedstudent construct his own grammar so that he
on this order.might reach full mastery of the language.
Krashen's entire point seems to be that there is aThis seems to me to be a throwback to some
difference between the conscious learning ofearlier approaches in which the student, through
grammatical structures and the unconscioussome kind of touchy-feely existential probing,
acquisition of speech, no matter the language.comes up with "his own grammar."
Acquisition of speech is far more important in theA natural order might, on the other hand, emerge
empowerment of someone who wants to speakin the process in which the child, or the second
the language-spoken fluency.language learner, hears hundreds upon thousands
Critics would say Krashen has drawn too rigid aof repetitions from those within the learner's
line between the learning and the acquiring of aenvironment who speak the language with correct
second language. Some believe Krashen madeform and structure. This situation is where the
these distinctions based on a specific or particularunconscious assimilation of correctness comes.
environment in which the learners were found andLanguage is then acquired!