Which hypothesis emphasizes that learners should be exposed to input that is just above their current level to facilitate acquisition?

Which hypothesis emphasizes that learners should be exposed to input that is just above their current level to facilitate acquisition?

• A. Natural Order Hypothesis
• B. Input Hypothesis
• C. Strong CLT
• D. Notion

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that language is acquired best when learners receive input that is comprehensible but slightly beyond what they can produce on their own, often described as input that is just above their current level (i+1). This is the Input Hypothesis. When meaning is clear and the language is slightly more advanced than the learner can fully handle, they automatically infer grammar and form through meaningful exposure, which leads to gradual, long-term acquisition rather than just short-term memorization. Materials and interaction should be rich and understandable, with just enough new structure to notice and internalize it over time. The other options point to different ideas. The Natural Order Hypothesis is about the sequence in which grammatical features tend to be acquired, not about the level of input, while the remaining terms refer to distinct theories or approaches that don’t center on providing input just beyond the learner’s current ability.

The main idea is that language is acquired best when learners receive input that is comprehensible but slightly beyond what they can produce on their own, often described as input that is just above their current level (i+1). This is the Input Hypothesis. When meaning is clear and the language is slightly more advanced than the learner can fully handle, they automatically infer grammar and form through meaningful exposure, which leads to gradual, long-term acquisition rather than just short-term memorization. Materials and interaction should be rich and understandable, with just enough new structure to notice and internalize it over time.

The other options point to different ideas. The Natural Order Hypothesis is about the sequence in which grammatical features tend to be acquired, not about the level of input, while the remaining terms refer to distinct theories or approaches that don’t center on providing input just beyond the learner’s current ability.