#74 Stephen Krashen on the Comprehensible Input Method

#74 Stephen Krashen on the Comprehensible Input Method

Author: Fluent in 3 Months November 1, 2021 Duration: 1:00:54

Linguist and professional researcher joins Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy to discuss comprehensible input, compelling input, and language acquisition.

Stephen Krashen is a professor emeritus who is well-known for his work and research into comprehensible input. He has hundreds of publications to his name and has greatly contributed to the field of language acquisition.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

  • How a trip to Ethiopia led to Stephen Krashen’s career in linguistics
  • How adults go through a predictable language acquisition pattern
  • Why we know grammar but struggle to use it correctly, and how to bridge this gap
  • What comprehensible input is and why it works
  • How comprehensible input differs from compelling input
  • Why graded readers are effective resources for language learners
  • The power of reading fiction
  • How the speaking approach is still a mostly input approach
  • Making the shift from input to output
  • Accents, and how we’re better at them than we think
  • Managing your time with multiple languages
  • Romanization and its role in language acquisition

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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There’s a certain magic that happens when you step off a plane and try to order a meal in a language you’re still fumbling through, or when a simple conversation with a stranger on a train opens up an entirely new perspective. Language & Travel Hacking, from the team behind Fluent in 3 Months, lives in those messy, authentic, and profoundly rewarding moments. Host Benny Lewis, a nomadic polyglot and best-selling author, doesn’t just theorize from a studio; he records from the road, sharing raw, real-time experiences and the practical strategies that actually work when you’re navigating a foreign market or building confidence in a new tongue. Each episode feels like a candid chat with a well-traveled friend who’s made all the mistakes so you don’t have to. You’ll hear the sounds of street markets and train stations in the background as Benny breaks down the psychology of language learning, offers actionable tips for picking up phrases quickly, and discusses how travel itself can be the ultimate classroom. This podcast is built on the idea that fluency and cultural connection aren’t distant goals reserved for the gifted, but accessible skills you can hack through smart, intentional practice. It’s for anyone who believes that the deepest way to explore a place is through its language, and that every journey is an opportunity to reshape how you see the world-and yourself. Tune in for honest stories and tangible advice that will change how you approach your next adventure, whether it’s across the globe or right in your own neighborhood.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 271

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