Affective filter 情感過濾 (情感过滤)

qínggǎn guòlǜ · from English

What is the affective filter?

The affective filter is Krashen's idea that anxiety, low motivation or low confidence block input from being acquired.

Part of Krashen's Monitor Model, it explains why a relaxed learner seems to absorb more than a stressed one from the same input. The concept is hard to test directly but matches many learners' experience. It is one argument for low-pressure, enjoyable input.

Examples

Freezing when a native speaker talks fast; absorbing more from a favourite drama than from a test-prep book

Kungfucius says: Stress is the world's worst language teacher.