NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

What is a key feature of the Natural Order Hypothesis?

1. The acquisition occurs regardless of the learner's first language.

2. Language rules are acquired in a fixed sequence.

3. All learners acquire language at the same pace.

4. First language interference is always beneficial.

The correct answer is: Language rules are acquired in a fixed sequence.

The Natural Order Hypothesis, proposed by Stephen Krashen, posits that language acquisition occurs in a predictable and orderly sequence, regardless of the learner's first language. This means that certain grammatical structures are acquired before others, aligning with the developmental stages observed in language learners. This sequence is not influenced by the learner's conscious efforts or explicit teaching but rather reflects an innate order in how language is learned. For example, learners might acquire the present progressive tense before mastering the past tense. Understanding this inherent order can guide educators in structuring lessons that align with these natural stages of acquisition, ultimately facilitating language learning by respecting this established developmental sequence. The other choices do not fully capture the core of the Natural Order Hypothesis. While first language may influence the acquisition process, it does not dictate the order in which a learner acquires features of the second language. Additionally, acquisition does not occur uniformly across all learners at the same pace, and first language interference can be both beneficial and detrimental depending on various factors.