The Monitor Hypothesis

0 This hypothesis shows how acquisition and learning are two different processes. The ability to produce utterances in a second language comes from the acquired competence, from the subconscious knowledge. On the other hand, learning which is a conscious knowledge serves only as an editor, or Monitor. The learned knowledge helps us to make corrections or change the output of the acquired system. 02br
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00According to Gass & Selinker (1994), Krashen has stated three conditions to be met to access the learned system. The three conditions for Monitor are: 02br
001. Time. Second language learners need enough time to think consciously about the rules they learned. 02br
002. Focus on form. Besides time, the learner needs to focus not only on what to say but also how to say it, the form. 02br
003. Know the rule. Second language learners should know the rules of the language in order to use them. 02br
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00As McLaughlin (1987) reported, Krashen has divided second language learners when using the Monitor process into three types due to their individual differences. These three types are: 02br
001. Monitor over-users. This is when performers Monitor all the time. As a result, they may speak with hesitation and usually correct themselves in the middle of the utterance. Sometimes, this happens when second language learners are taught only grammar. 02br
002. Monitor under-users. This is when performers depend only on the acquired system. They do so either because they have not learned or because they don’t want to use their learned system. They don’t self-correct even if the three conditions are met. They just use their ‘feel’ for correctness. 02br
003. The optimal Monitor user. This is when the performer uses the Monitor process when it is suitable and will not affect communication. When the three conditions are met, the optimal performer will Monitor to make his output more accurate. 0-