The Monitor Hypothesis establishes the relationship between language learning and acquisition. It posits that learned rules function as an internal monitor that alters the output of the acquired language system before or after production. Optimal use of this monitor depends on having time and a focus on form, as well as knowing the rule. Individual differences exist, with some learners over-using the monitor and hesitating in speech, while others under-use it. The goal of teaching should be developing optimal monitor use that does not interfere with communication.
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Monitor Hypothesis
The Monitor Hypothesis establishes the relationship between language learning and acquisition. It posits that learned rules function as an internal monitor that alters the output of the acquired language system before or after production. Optimal use of this monitor depends on having time and a focus on form, as well as knowing the rule. Individual differences exist, with some learners over-using the monitor and hesitating in speech, while others under-use it. The goal of teaching should be developing optimal monitor use that does not interfere with communication.
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The Monitor Hypothesis
While the acquisition-learning distinction claims
that two separate processes coexist in the adult, it does not state how they are used in second language performance. The Monitor Hypothesis posits that acquisition and learning are used in very specific ways. The Monitor Hypothesis • Establishes the relationship between learning and acquisition. • Learning /learned system/ knowledge about rules of a language functions as a monitor or editor. • Learning makes changes in the form of our utterance after it has been produced by the acquired system. • Learning is thought to alter the output of the acquired system before or after the utterance is actually written or spoken. The Monitor Hypothesis Conditions for monitor use :
• Time : • Focus on form : • Know the rule : The Monitor Hypothesis Individual learner differences in terms of monitor use There may be three basic types of performer
Monitor over user:
Monitor under user : The optimal monitor user : Monitor over user: • These are people who attempt to Monitor all the time. Monitor over users constantly check their output with their conscious knowledge of the second language. As a result, such performers may speak hesitantly, often self- correct in the middle of utterances, and are so concerned with correctness that they cannot speak with any real fluency. Causes of monitor over use 1. Exposure to grammar-only- type instruction : They have simply not had the chance to acquire much of the second language, and may have no choice but to be dependent on learning
2. Personality : These over users have had a chance to
acquire, and may actually have acquired a great deal of the second language. They simply do not trust this acquired competence and only feel secure when they refer to their Monitor "just to be sure". Monitor under user • These are performers who have not learned, or if they have learned, prefer not to use their conscious knowledge, even when conditions allow it. Under users are typically uninfluenced by error correction, can self- correct only by using a "feel" for correctness (e.g. "it sounds right"), and rely completely on the acquired system. The optimal monitor user : • Performers who use the monitor when it is appropriate and when it does not interfere with communication. Many optimal users will not use grammar in ordinary conversation, where it might interfere. Relation between acquisition and learning Implication To produce optimal monitor users should be the goal of teaching a second language
Teachers should keep in mind that Fluency and
accuracy may be impeded because of monitor under use or over use. Grammar all attitude should be flexible in classroom.
Structural Linguistics is an Approach to Language and Language Study Based on a Concept of Language as a System of Signs That Has Such Clearly Defined Structural Elements as Linguistic Units and Their Classes