Why Traditional Language Learning Methods Are Outdated: The Case for Comprehensible Input

The traditional approach to learning a language has long been treated similarly to other academic subjects, but this method is simply outdated. Think about it: can you recall ever having formal lessons from your parents in your native language? The answer is no, because it didn’t happen. Instead, you were exposed to enough input over time to naturally acquire the language.

The key concept here is that your current language knowledge is referred to as "i," and you need input at "i+1" to progress. Similar to how you learned as a child, your input will inevitably include more complex language (i+10), but as long as there's enough i+1, you will move forward. This leads to a “this feels right” approach, which many will find much more comfortable than translating in their heads before engaging in a conversation.

It’s often cited that an 80% comprehension rate of any given resource is necessary for it to be useful. This is a rather arbitrary number, as the original source suggests that enough of the i+1 input should be sufficient. Without this level of understanding, the material becomes frustrating, fruitless, and unenjoyable. If the meaning behind a story, book, or audio resource isn’t clear, learning becomes a task of study rather than a process of acquisition.

Study has its place in a language learner's toolkit. It is important to learn why you use a feminine noun, or why specific words are similar to your native language, as it will aid you in predicting future ones. But it is often unhelpful to do this prior to having enough input in the target language to notice the patterns or have any kind of fluency in the target language.

It is often up to the learner's discretion as to what the target percentage of comprehension the resource should be. Enough to challenge while enjoying the story is a good start.

Comprehensible Input: An Underused Strategy

Comprehensible input for language learning is not a new concept, but it is still underrepresented in most classrooms. It’s rare to find tutors specializing in this approach, and even when comprehensible input is encouraged, learners often struggle to find the resources they need outside of structured lessons.

Dr. Stephen Krashen introduced the language acquisition theory back in 1987, but despite its effectiveness, it is rarely applied in classroom settings. When it is, there are often insufficient resources available for beginner learners—especially ones that are both accessible and affordable. This is one of the main goals of Tale Tutor, which is able to make customizable stories to suit the vocabulary you need to learn.

The Struggles of Beginners: Why Most Give Up

The goal for many learners aside from speaking is to interact and study with native content such as YouTube videos or podcasts for input. However, for beginners, this is often a frustrating and fruitless endeavor due to their limited vocabulary. The road to learning the first 1,000 words of a new language can feel long and painful before any real progress is made. This challenge is often compounded by interference from grammar lessons and a focus on semantic accuracy.

It’s no surprise that 70% of people give up on learning a new language. Focusing on semantics before reaching a level of fluency (not necessarily accuracy) causes learners to monitor their speech instead of speaking naturally.

The Solution: Focus on Input, Not Perfection

For language learners to thrive, especially beginners, the focus should be on acquiring language through comprehensible input rather than perfection. Resources that provide content at the i+1 level are crucial, as they allow learners to progress in a natural, enjoyable way. While grammatical understanding and semantic precision are important, these should come after a learner has developed a basic level of fluency. Krashen explains in his natural order hypothesis that grammar can be predicted given enough input; take children in primary school as an example who make semantic mistakes in writing and speaking but are, in fact, fluent in their native language by this age.

There is often a push by academic conditioning and influence from surroundings that just because you study a language as an adult you are expected for everything that comes out of your mouth to be 100% accurate. The moment this anxiety is relieved, the quicker progression will be seen.