FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What does the Input Hypothesis suggest about teaching materials?

1. They should be easy and not challenging at all.

2. They must be solely written in the students' native language.

3. They should be slightly above the student’s ability level.

4. They must always include visual aids.

The correct answer is: They should be slightly above the student’s ability level.

The Input Hypothesis, proposed by Stephen Krashen, emphasizes that language acquisition occurs most effectively when learners are exposed to input that is just slightly above their current proficiency level. This concept is often referred to as "i+1," where "i" represents the learner's current level and "+1" indicates the next step of challenge. When teaching materials are designed to be just above the student's ability level, they provide opportunities for learners to stretch their comprehension and language skills without becoming overwhelmed. This slight challenge encourages students to engage with new vocabulary and structures in a way that promotes learning and assimilation, as they can make connections with what they already know while exploring new content. Teaching materials that are overly easy may lead to boredom and a lack of stimulation, while those that are too challenging can lead to frustration and disengagement. Therefore, the notion of providing materials that are just above the student's current understanding aligns perfectly with the Input Hypothesis and supports effective language acquisition.