Write a Short Note on ‘Affective-Filter Hypothesis.’

Write a short note on ‘Affective-Filter Hypothesis.’ 

The Affective Filter Hypothesis is a concept in second language acquisition theory proposed by linguists Stephen Krashen and Terrell in the 1980s. It suggests that a language learner’s emotional state, attitude, and motivation can significantly impact their ability to acquire a new language. 

Various Factors Influence the Affective Filter Such as:

Motivation: Learners who are motivated and have a positive attitude toward language learning are likelier to have a low affective filter. They are more open to new linguistic input.

Anxiety: High levels of anxiety can raise the affective filter, hindering the learner’s ability to process and retain new linguistic information. Anxiety may stem from fear of making mistakes, being negatively evaluated, or feeling overwhelmed by the learning process.

Self-confidence: Learners with higher self-confidence tend to have a lower affective filter, as they are more likely to engage actively with the language.

External Factors: Environmental and situational factors, such as the teaching materials, classroom atmosphere, and social interactions, can also influence the affective filter.

The Affective Filter Hypothesis is closely linked to Krashen’s Input Hypothesis (i+1). When the filter is high, learners may fail to process or comprehend the input, leading to less effective language acquisition and vice-versa.

In termination, educators and language instructors can apply the principles of the Affective Filter Hypothesis by creating a positive and supportive learning environment.