Guide library

Guides and reference

Topic hubs

• The idea — Comprehensible input is language whose message a learner can understand. Krashen's input hypothesis makes a more specific claim about how acquisition happens.
• Research and evidence — Research examines several ways people learn languages. A study of one activity does not prove that it is the only useful activity.
• Debates and myths — Krashen's model is influential and contested. Keep the claim that input helps separate from the stronger claim that nothing else matters.
• In practice — Choose material you can follow, add support where needed, and check your understanding. A useful routine can include listening, reading, speaking and study.

New entries

• Comprehensible input examples — See how pictures, familiar topics, captions and conversation can help make a message understandable.
• Krashen's input hypothesis — Understand Krashen's input hypothesis, i+1, and the difference between a theoretical claim and research evidence.
• Research on comprehensible input — Separate Krashen's hypothesis from research on reading, interaction, feedback and instruction.
• How comprehensible input works — See how a learner can use context, understanding and feedback while recognising the limits of theory.
• Common misconceptions about comprehensible input — Check common claims about immersion, speaking, grammar, captions and hours against the limits of evidence.
• How to start with comprehensible input — Choose a short understandable message, add support, check meaning and build a balanced learning routine.

• What does i+1 mean? — Krashen's formula is a theory of development, not a score you can calculate.
• Is a silent period necessary? — Some learners speak little at first, but no universal delay is established by the sources on this site.
• How should I use captions for comprehension? — Use captions as support when they help you follow a message. Change the support when your task changes.
• What can extensive reading research tell us? — Extensive reading research studies reading. Do not assume its results measure the effects of watching video.

How to choose understandable input — A practical checklist.

• What is comprehensible input? — A plain definition of comprehensible input, where the idea comes from, i+1, examples, and how learners use it today.
• Krashen's input hypothesis and the Monitor Model — Stephen Krashen's five hypotheses explained in plain English, with the main criticisms from other researchers.
• Does comprehensible input work? What the research says — A balanced look at input, output, interaction, noticing, and a practical combined plan.
• Comprehensible input vs immersion — How comprehensible input differs from immersion, native content and classroom methods such as TPR and TPRS.
• Comprehensible input glossary — Short definitions of the terms learners use: i+1, affective filter, silent period, crosstalk, ALG, sentence mining and more.
• Comprehensible input FAQ — Short answers to common questions about comprehensible input, speaking, grammar, hours and beginners.

Publisher and related sites

• Jibber Jabber — Our product and its limits.
• Resource directory — Resource types and their roles.
• Editorial methodology — How we handle evidence and ownership.
• Sources — Find citations and their limits.
• About this site — Our editorial approach and ownership.
• Related websites — How the guides connect.

This guide is part of a collection published by Jibber Jabber. The sites share one publisher and are not independent endorsements.