The Natural Approach
The Natural Approach is a language teaching method developed by Stephen Krashen and Tracy Terrell that applies the input hypothesis in the classroom: it emphasises large amounts of comprehensible input, a low-anxiety environment, and a silent period before speaking, rather than grammar drills and forced production.
Introduced in the 1983 book "The Natural Approach", the method treats the classroom as a source of rich, understandable input. The teacher speaks in the target language at a level students can follow, using visuals, gestures, and context, while keeping anxiety low.
A distinctive feature is the silent period: learners are not pushed to speak until they feel ready. Speaking is expected to emerge naturally once enough input has been acquired, mirroring how children develop their first language before producing full sentences.
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FAQ
What is the Natural Approach?
A teaching method by Krashen and Terrell that applies the input hypothesis: lots of comprehensible input, low anxiety, and a silent period before speaking instead of grammar drills.
What is the "silent period"?
A stage where learners are not forced to speak; speech is expected to emerge naturally once enough comprehensible input has been acquired.
Who created the Natural Approach?
Stephen Krashen and Tracy Terrell, presented in their 1983 book of the same name.