When I think about teachers’ communication styles, my communication style, I reflect on all the ways we make learning more complicated. What can we do to simplify the learning process for our students? Comprehensible input is one way, but what is it?
Stephen Krashen first began talking about comprehensible input as a component of his Input Hypothesis (also called Monitor Hypothesis) and outlined the key aspects that impact language acquisition (Diaz-Rico, 2012). Nearly four decades later, Echevarria, Vogt, and Short have focused on comprehensible input as one of the essential features of their SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) Model. These authors have asked us to reflect on and refine how we present information in classrooms, second language classrooms in particular.
Most often, we think of modulating speech when thinking about comprehensible input. This includes slowing the rate of speech, articulating words clearly, and using simple language over unnecessarily complex vocabulary. Echevarria, Vogt, and Short (2008) also suggest that teachers review printed material and determine if the text density and layout are accessible to language learners. If not, that text needs to be modified or students need to be provided with additional support structures to access the material.
Echevarria, Vogt, and Short’s SIOP Model is widely available in text and offers video support to make the tenets clear. If you do not have direct access to these materials, many files are available on YouTube. See the link below that some of my students located for a more in-depth discussion of Comprehensible Input by one of the authors, Mary Ellen Vogt.
What do you think is essential to enhance student comprehension of instructional material and instructional conversations in the classroom? Do you use any of these strategies regularly? What is difficult for you?
References:
Diaz-Rico, L. (2012). Strategies for teaching English learners. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Echevarria, J., Vogt, M., and Short, D. (2008). Making content comprehensible for English learners: The SIOP Model. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
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