Affective Filter 1
Teaching a foreign language requires at leat 2 things:
o Comprehensible input (Stephen Krashen)
o A positive, supportive and engaging environment
define the affective filter
An invisible filter, an emotional barrier that can impede language acquisition.
Anxiety must be ........................ to create a safe learning environment.
Anxiety must be minimized to create a safe learning environment.
Name what a teacher can do to avoid or lower the affective filter
·Introduce English gradually with useful phrases.
·Use non-verbal communication (gestures, actions, facial expressions).
·Use arts and crafts
·Repeat activities like songs and rhymes.
Name some challenges for teachers
o Traditional methods (memorization, grammar drills) often fail.
o The Affective Filter: Emotional barriers in language learning.
Why does the affective filter block learning?
It creates a mental barrier and less comprehensible input reaches the brain
Stress, anxiety, boredom, lack of motivation, feelings and emotions influence language learning.
Is it true or false?
TRUE!
Forced Output: what is it?
Pressure to speak before we are ready (this can cause anxiety)
Say more activities to lower the affective filter
. Use visual aids (drawings, photos, puppets).
·Encourage storytelling with pictures.
·Focus on TPR (Total Physical Response)
. recast in English
use a puppet for interaction
What do young learners need?
routine-based learning
visual engagement
physical engagement
encoragement
Who Spoke of the afftive filter for the first time?
Stephen Krashen
Who is Stephen Krashen?
He is an American linguist, educational researcher and activist, who is Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Southern California.
Say a mistake connected to the Silent Period
Forcing oral production too early.
Students feel more engaged when they have
1.
2.
3.
so motivation increases
Students feel more engaged when they have choice, voice, and personal relevance, so motivation increases
A child who feels comfortable will take language risks;
A child who is anxious will avoid speaking.
TRUE or FALSE?
TRUE!
Which variables are connected to the affective filter?
The KEY FACTORS are:
MOTIVATION, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND ANXIETY.
What does a high filter do?
It creates stress, fear, embarrassment and it hinders learning.
·Learners absorb language before actively using it.
YES or NO?
YES!
How can you create a safe and welcoming classroom?
✅ Allow ................
✅ Ensure ............
✅ Allow mistakes without penalty—they are part of learning!
✅ Ensure representation in books, images, and materials.
Self-confidence grows when students feel
1.
and
2.
Self-confidence grows when students feel
included
and
valued.
What does a low affective filter do?
It supports confidence, safety, motivation and so it facilitates learning.
A low-anxiety environment increases...............
ACQUISITION
Krashen’s Theory on Comprehensible Input:
The brain needs input that is slightly challenging but understandable.
Define the SILENT PERIOD
It's a natural stage in language learning where brain silently processes and stores input
Name some mistakes that raise the affective filter
•Excessive error correction.
•Lack of comprehensible input and meaningful context.
•Speaking too fast, complex explanations, no visual support.
•Ignoring student emotions