Krashen's Input Hypothesis

Krashen's Input Hypothesis suggests that language learners acquire new language skills primarily through exposure to comprehensible input—content slightly beyond their current level (called "i+1"). When learners hear or read materials that they can understand with some effort, they naturally pick up vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation without explicit instruction. This process helps language skills develop gradually, as understanding becomes more complete over time. Essentially, the most effective way to learn a language is by consistently engaging with meaningful, understandable language input in real contexts.