Which term is associated with the emotional component that affects language acquisition by influencing learners' willingness to communicate?

Which term is associated with the emotional component that affects language acquisition by influencing learners' willingness to communicate?

• A. Monitor Hypothesis
• B. Affective Filter Hypothesis
• C. Natural Order Hypothesis
• D. Input Hypothesis

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is how emotions shape language learning by changing how willing a learner is to use and absorb the language. The Affective Filter Hypothesis describes a mental gate that emotional states can raise or lower. When anxiety is high, self-confidence is low, or motivation wanes, the gate tightens, and less language input gets noticed and retained. When the learner feels safe, capable, and motivated, the gate loosens, more input gets processed, and acquisition happens more readily. This directly ties to willingness to communicate: students who feel comfortable and interested are more likely to try speaking, seek chances to use the language, and thus gain more practice and input. In contrast, the Monitor Hypothesis is about using learned rules to edit speech, not about emotional readiness. The Natural Order Hypothesis says that certain grammatical forms are acquired in a predictable sequence, regardless of instruction. The Input Hypothesis emphasizes understanding input that is slightly above current ability, but it doesn’t address how emotions affect whether that input is actually taken in.

The key idea here is how emotions shape language learning by changing how willing a learner is to use and absorb the language. The Affective Filter Hypothesis describes a mental gate that emotional states can raise or lower. When anxiety is high, self-confidence is low, or motivation wanes, the gate tightens, and less language input gets noticed and retained. When the learner feels safe, capable, and motivated, the gate loosens, more input gets processed, and acquisition happens more readily. This directly ties to willingness to communicate: students who feel comfortable and interested are more likely to try speaking, seek chances to use the language, and thus gain more practice and input.

In contrast, the Monitor Hypothesis is about using learned rules to edit speech, not about emotional readiness. The Natural Order Hypothesis says that certain grammatical forms are acquired in a predictable sequence, regardless of instruction. The Input Hypothesis emphasizes understanding input that is slightly above current ability, but it doesn’t address how emotions affect whether that input is actually taken in.